Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr eye second Premier League star after agreeing £70m deal
Al-Nassr have already agreed a deal for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran, but the ambitious Saudi Pro League outfit have now set their sights on another Premier League attacker
by John Cross, Dan Marsh · The MirrorBrighton have rejected a mega Saudi offer for Kaoru Mitoma - and insisted the player is not for sale.
Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr offered £60m for the 27-year-old Japan winger but it received short shrift from Brighton. Mitoma is happy with the Seagulls, is not looking to leave and Brighton have no intention of selling him.
Al-Nassr have already agreed a £70m deal for Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran and saw Mitoma as the ideal option to bolster their attacking options. But Mitoma is under contract until June 2027 and is a huge part of Fabian Hurzeler’s plans for the long term.
Mitoma has five goals and three assists in 23 Premier League games this season and is regarded as one of the Premier League’s most exciting left wingers.
It remains to be seen if Al-Nassr will return with an improved offer before the Saudi Pro League transfer window shuts on Friday. Cristiano Ronaldo's side have big plans and have already pulled off a major coup in landing Duran.
While there were Premier League clubs interested in the 21-year-old Colombian, he is poised to become the latest big-name export to head out to the Middle East after undergoing a medical in London on Thursday.
Duran was named on the bench for Aston Villa's pivotal Champions League win over Celtic on Wednesday night, though it emerged shortly before kick-off that he was in line to move to Saudi Arabia following weeks of transfer links.
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News of a shock Arsenal bid for Ollie Watkins also emerged prior to the game. The bid was rebuffed by Villa, who were understood to be furious with the timing of the bid.
Arsenal could yet sign another forward before the January transfer window shuts on Monday night, though it seems unlikely that Watkins will be attainable once Duran finalises his switch to Al-Nassr.
Duran is viewed as a statement signing for the Saudi Pro League, who are keen to position themselves as a thriving environment for young and developing players rather than a retirement home for big-name players in the twilight of their careers.
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