Chelsea have reportedly learned what it will take to sign Brighton & Hove Albion playmaker Kaoru Mitoma during the summer transfer window.
The Blues have been on the receiving end of back-to-back defeats to Brighton over the past two weeks, first losing in the FA Cup fourth round before succumbing to a demoralising defeat in the Premier League on Friday.
Mitoma proved to be an influential figure during each of those contests, getting on the scoresheet in both games including a goal-of-the-season contender in the second of the Amex Stadium clashes.
Four goals and one assist have now been contributed from his last six appearances in all competitions, with the Japan international shaking off distractions off the pitch when a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia was in the offing.
While a proposal from the Middle-East was turned down prior to the end of the winter transfer window, it appears that it may be a different story later this year.
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What is Mitoma's asking price?
According to CaughtOffside, Brighton have already decided what fee they will deem to be acceptable for Mitoma in the future.
The report suggests that the Seagulls hierarchy would "reluctantly" accept an offer in the region of €80m (£66.2m).
For a player that cost just £2.5m in 2021, it would represent a remarkable profit on the Japan international, one that would leave Brighton in an increasingly strong position with regards to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations.
Chelsea are allegedly yet to hold any official talks over signing Mitoma, yet it is suggested that there is an interest in doing business with Brighton.
Tony Bloom - Brighton's chairman - has previously indicated that he sees Chelsea as his 'favourite customers', referring to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital having shelled close to £200m for head coach Graham Potter and two players in Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo.
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Do Chelsea need Mitoma?
Although Chelsea have hardly been convincing in any area of the pitch of late, the output of their wingers has not been good enough in the Premier League during 2024-25.
The quartet of Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Mykhaylo Mudryk have just 11 goals and nine assists between them.
By comparison, Mitoma has six goals and three assists from his 25 appearances, while he has 16 goals and 13 assists from his 77 outings in England's top flight.
His contract is currently due to expire in 2027.
Darren Plant
