Latest news with #Mitoma
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
What does the future hold for Mitoma?
Japanese football journalist Masatoshi Mori believes Kaoru Mitoma should stay in the Premier League amid interest from Bayern 28, has been heavily linked with a move to Germany in the summer. This would offer him Champions League football, with Brighton missing out on European competition for next Mori believes the standard in the Premier League compared with the Bundesliga is better for to BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, he said: "If Brighton had got into Europe, I think Mitoma would definitely have stayed. He's such an ambitious player, but Brighton has the same kind of ambition."He has never spoke about a transfer, and I've asked him before about Champions League football being attractive. He just passed it off, laughing."I have to say that Mitoma believes Premier League football is really good for him. Going to the Bundesliga and playing for Bayern Munich is massive, but I don't know if that's the best choice for him."We will have to wait and see. I've always thought the Premier League is the hardest league for Japanese players, but Mitoma has changed that."In the final game against Tottenham, he looked like the best player on the pitch. I personally want him to play in the Premier League a little bit more."Listen to the full chat here
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Premier League 2024-25 review: goals of the season
It took something special from Mitoma to bring down the raking long pass of the Brighton goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen. The Japan winger's first touch as the ball came down over his head was sublime, each alternate angle proving better than the next, before he dribbled away from Trevoh Chalobah and curled a low shot past Filip Jörgensen. Mitoma has often received plaudits for his technical ability, but this one truly felt like one of his best. 'The touch is as good as anything you will see in the Premier League this season. And the finish isn't bad either,' said Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports. 'That's Messi-like and I don't say that lightly. Pure genius.' Mitoma's goal started the rush against Chelsea, with Yankuba Minteh adding two goals in the 3-0 victory. 'I don't know if I ever saw something like this as a coach from my own player,' said Fabian Hürzeler. 'To coordinate everything – the speed of the ball, the height of the ball and your legs – is a special thing. We shouldn't underestimate that he was in a full sprint. I wouldn't try it at home, but he has a special talent.' It was a shock early in the season when Everton, who had yet to earn a Premier League point three games in, went 2-0 up at Villa Park with goals from Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Ollie Watkins restored parity for Villa either side of half-time but ultimately the substitute Durán was the hero, firing home a long-range screamer into the top corner 14 minutes from time to complete the turnaround. It was the third time in four Premier League matches Durán had scored a winner from off the bench and the effort was so impressive it stunned even his teammates, with Youri Tielemans and Emi Martínez holding their heads in disbelief after the winner. 'It takes a moment of magic like that and Jhon has come up with it,' said Watkins. 'Everyone knows what he can do and when he's got the opportunity he shows it. It's one of the best we've seen. If you back yourself to shoot from that far, why not?' Fulham were a goal behind entering the final minutes of stoppage time when Wilson, who had come on with eight minutes remaining, met Adama Traoré's cross with the outside of his boot in an audacious midair backheel that looped over the Brentford goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, and into the net. He scored again in the seventh minute of added time to snatch all three points. 'The manager told me to find space and when the ball gets wide try to get in the box, and that's what I did,' said Wilson. 'The first one, I just helped it on to the back post. That moment when it left my foot, it seemed to take for ever to loop in. There was silence, and then the roar when it hit the net was amazing. That feeling will live with me for a long, long time.' Ipswich are heading back to the Championship but they will not go down without their fair share of memorable moments. One of them being Davis's stunning strike against Leicester when the left-back took Sam Morsy's lofted pass first-time and volley the ball across the face of goal from a tight angle into the far corner for the opener. It was the 25-year-old's first Premier League goal but talk after the match mostly surrounded Kalvin Phillips's red card and the referee not awarding the hosts a penalty before Leicester equalised. 'I'm buzzing that is my first goal but I would have been happier with the three points,' said Davis. 'I was just in the right place at the right time. I've always wanted to score in the Prem.' Few things are as satisfying as seeing a routine straight from the training ground come to life on the pitch. Arsenal, who have found success hurting teams from set pieces, were given a dose of their own medicine when a clever corner manoeuvre allowed the Bournemouth substitute to open up his body and slam home an emphatic opener with some great technique. The short, low corner from Lewis Cook was followed up with Justin Kluivert's clever nonchalant flick near the penalty spot before Christie sidefooted the bouncing ball high into the net. A few months later, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah delivered a similar blow to Manchester City but Christie's effort just edges it on our list because of Salah's deflecting in off a heavy touch from Nathan Aké. 'The advantage they have at set plays is they are taller than us,' said the Bournemouth manager, Andoni Iraola. 'So we had to find another way to make a difference. Today it worked and it was important.' Marmoush wasted no time in atoning for his disappointing FA Cup final penalty miss against Crystal Palace. In Manchester City's push for a Champions League place, the Egyptian opened the scoring against Bournemouth with a fizzing 30-yard strike that clipped a post before crashing into the top-left corner. Kepa Arrizabalaga was left rooted as the shot almost took the net off the goal and the roof off the stadium as fans were sent into a frenzy. What made the goal particularly special was the dip Marmoush got on the ball, as it initially appeared to be sailing high and wide when it first left his foot. The match marked Kevin De Bruyne's farewell at the Etihad Stadium after a decade at the club and, while the Belgian did not score, Marmoush's goal felt reminiscent of many the legend had amassed, a perfect ode to his time at the club.
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal join transfer race for Premier League star after Florian Wirtz blow
Arsenal are looking to bolster their frontline this summer with Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma on their radar but Bayern Munich are also keen tabs on the Japan star Arsenal are weighing up a move for Brighton 's Kaoru Mitoma as they look to bolster their forward line, but Bayern Munich are also ready to join the race for the Japanese ace. Mitoma has gone from strength to strength at the Amex with Europe's finest now circling. The Gunners want to add to their frontline with a No 9 a summer priority, but they're also looking to bring in quality on the wings. Mitoma has been identified as a potential target with new sporting director Andrea Berta currently compiling a shortlist of targets. Arsenal finished second for the third straight year and are ready to invest again in an effort to eventually win England's top flight. Rodrygo is considered their dream signing but the main issue with the Real Madrid man is his wage demands, reports Sky Germany. The Brazilian is reportedly unhappy at Los Blancos and is open to moving elsewhere. He's been integral at Real for several years, but won't come cheap as Arsenal consider who else they can pursue. Bayern themselves are considering moving for Brighton's winger. They had been in the hunt for Florian Wirtz, who is poised to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer. It was the Bavarians and Liverpool in a two-horse race for the German, but the player is thought to favour a move to Anfield. Bayern president Herbert Hainer has relayed a conversation he had with another club chief and said at a fan festival: 'Max Eberl [Bayern's director of sport] informed me that Florian Wirtz is probably leaning towards Liverpool. I can't say how things will transpire with Leverkusen.' Wirtz is valued at more than £100million by his current club, which would need Liverpool to shatter their transfer record. It remains to be seen where he ends up but Bayern have begun making contingency plans with Mitoma now on their radar. Brighton have proved to be shrewd operators in the transfer market. They've unlocked numerous gems and Mitoma has made himself a leading light on the south coast. This year Mitoma has scored 11 times, including a stunning strike against Chelsea. The Seagulls have shown that they will sell their top talents, but they will demand huge fees before doing so. The likes of Moises Caicedo have been sold on for over £100million. Brighton chief Paul Barber admitted previously that Brighton will 'likely' sell their top talents at some stage. Should they choose to let Mitoma leave then they will make a massive profit on the £3m they paid to sign him from Kawasaki Frontale back in 2021.
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres breaks silence on Arsenal transfer as Brighton star shortlisted
Arsenal are chasing the signature of Sporting Lisbon's star striker Viktor Gyokeres following the end of the season, but they also want to sign a winger in the summer transfer window It is full steam ahead for Arsenal in the summer transfer window after they concluded their 2024/25 season with a 2-1 win over bottom side Southampton on Sunday. The Gunners have finished second in the Premier League for the third straight season and know that they must strengthen their squad to close the gap. The lack of firepower up front has been a constant problem over the past three campaigns and, with new sporting director Andrea Berta in place, they are not going to stand idle any longer. Sporting Lisbon concluded their season with a victory over Benfica in the cup on Sunday and it is now finally time to address the future of Viktor Gyokeres. The Sweden international finished the season with a preposterous 53 goals and 13 assists from 51 games across all competitions and Sporting know they can't keep hold of him any longer. They are willing to negotiate his exit and the Gunners hope they are at the front of the queue, with £60million expected to be enough to sign him. That isn't the only position Mikel Arteta wants strengthened, though, with a top-class winger still on the shortlist too. Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and Real Madrid's Rodrygo are of interest, but there is a new name in the mix now too. Here Mirror Football rounds up all the latest transfer news involving Arsenal. Gyokeres breaks his silence Gyokeres is now free to decide on his next club after scoring yet another crucial goal for Sporting. He netted in added time to take the Portuguese Cup final into extra time, where Sporting triumphed 3-1 over Benfica. Speaking afterwards, there was only one topic that everyone wanted to discuss. 'Let us see,' Gyokeres said. "It's hard for me to say, because yeah it is football and you never know what's going to happen in the summer. So for me to say anything else than that is impossible.' Asked specifically about Arsenal, he added: 'I don't know, I just focus on this. I've tried to focus on the last games because it's so important and I don't want to think about anything else. So yeah, if anything is true, let's see in the summer.' Mitoma on Gunners' shortlist Arsenal have long been keen on Athletic Club star Nico Williams, but sporting director Andrea Berta is not putting all his eggs in one basket this summer. The Gunners are also reportedly interested in signing Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma, who's also a target for Bayern Munich. The Japan international, who's under contract until June 2027, enjoyed his most prolific season in England to date, scoring 11 goals, and Sky Germany report that Berta has identified Mitoma, 28, as a candidate. It is believed that Real Madrid star Rodrygo remains the Gunners' dream target but should he not be available, they could challenge Bayern for Mitoma's signature. Barca winning race for keeper Barcelona are ready to offer Joan Garcia the chance to join Valencia on loan next season in fear of missing out to Arsenal on the sought-after Espanyol goalkeeper. Garcia, 24, has been linked with a number of clubs, including Arsenal, and the Spaniard has a €25million (£21m) release clause which is active until June 30. Barca are planning to trigger the clause but they already have Marc-Andre ter Stegen and have offered Wojciech Szczesny a new one-year contract, with third-choice goalkeeper Inaki Pena also at the club. According to Carrusel Deportivo, Garcia has agreed to the plan of getting regular football with Valencia, who are looking for a new No.1 in light of Giorgi Mamardashvili joining Liverpool. The news is a blow to Arsenal, who want another keeper this summer and have also been linked with a shock return for Emi Martinez.
Kyodo News
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Football: Wataru Endo lifts trophy as Liverpool celebrate title with fans
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 19:43 | Sports, All Japan captain Wataru Endo lifted the English Premier League trophy on Sunday as newly crowned champions Liverpool wrapped up the season with a 1-1 home draw with Crystal Palace before savoring the title with their fans at Anfield. Endo joined captain Virgil van Dijk, top scorer Mohamed Salah and departing right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold among his other Liverpool teammates in celebrating with the fans, something they missed out on upon winning their last title in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Having drawn once and lost twice since clinching their record-tying 20th title with four games to spare, Liverpool went behind in the ninth minute as an unmarked Ismaila Sarr scored with a simple finish for FA Cup winners Palace. Endo came on in the 69th minute at center back right after his in-form countryman Daichi Kamada was denied a clear run at goal for Palace near the halfway line by Ryan Gravenberch, who was sent off. Salah volleyed in the leveler in the 84th minute to take his season's tally to 29 goals, ensuring the celebration was not preceded by a defeat. Kaoru Mitoma came on as a halftime substitute and set up a late wonder strike from Diego Gomez as Brighton won 4-1 at Tottenham Hotspur. The winger ended the season with 10 goals, the most by any Japanese player in the English top flight. "It's not a bad number, but I could have scored more," said Mitoma, who has been linked to Bayern Munich and Arsenal in a potential summer move. "I don't know what the future first thing is to nurse injuries properly ahead of the next season," added the 28-year-old, whose goal against Chelsea in February was named the goal of the season by BBC on Monday. In Italy, keeper Zion Suzuki helped Parma finish 16th and avoid relegation from the Serie A as they came from behind to win 3-2 at Atalanta. Defender Koki Machida played the full 90 minutes as Royale Union Saint-Gilloise won the Belgian top flight for the first time in 90 years following a 3-1 home win over Gent. Midfielder Hidemasa Morita came on in the second half as Sporting CP beat Benfica 3-1 in extra time in the Portuguese Cup final to secure a domestic double. Related coverage: Football: Marinos stun Antlers as bottom beat top in J1 classic Football: Freiburg sign Japanese attacker Suzuki from Brondby Football: Mitoma scores 10th league goal as Brighton down Liverpool
