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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Last winter, Japan was shaken by shocking transfer rumors.
Cristiano Ronaldo's team, Al Nasr (Saudi Arabia), has moved to recruit Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton). What was shocking was Al Nasr's proposal. They offered a transfer fee of 54 million pounds (about 102.5 billion won) to Brighton, saying they would recruit Mitoma. When Brighton refused, he immediately raised the condition to 90 million pounds (about 170.8 billion won). Brighton's decision was focused on Brighton's decision in that it was a considerable amount, although it fell short of the team's record of the highest transfer fee (115 million pounds, about 211.6 billion won) received when Brighton sent Moises Caicedo to Chelsea in 2023. However, the transfer did not happen as Brighton and Mitoma both refused to go to Al Nasr.
In an interview with the Japanese soccer media Football Zone, Mitoma responded to the proposal at the time "First of all, it was amazing. I had no intention of moving, but I thought 'I'm watching from everywhere'"I received such an offer a few days after the good result in the previous game. I felt that the value of a game was also great." Then "I think it's great to be able to play in the Premier League where the world is watching and be in a position where there are rumors of a transfer." I also know how much attention I get from the offer."When I saw whether he was a player worth paying such money regardless of whether he accepted the offer or not, I doubted myself. I thought I should become a player who can receive that much money in the future. It was a good pressure."
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Mitoma, whose value is increasing due to his strong performance this season, is considered one of the players receiving attention from big clubs. A situation where Brighton can't hold him for long. On future transfers, Mitoma said "The environment to play in the game is important. If you transfer (team, league adaptation, etc.), you will start with a difficult situation, but if you can't play, you will have difficulties. I think we need to consider various things and make a judgment." Then "I think the player who always keeps playing in any team is a good player. Whether it's a transfer or staying at Brighton, the goal is to play consistently."
Mittoma, a Kawasaki Youth graduate, drew attention when he went to Tsukuba University, leaving behind the first-team proposal at the time of high school graduation. Since then, he has trained as a special designated player in Kawasaki, but his debut in the first division was made in the 2019 League Cup while he was in the fourth grade. Mitoma, who played for Kawasaki for two seasons, signed with Brighton and has been active until now after signing on loan from Belgium's Winion Saint-Jeal-Louis. Although he was more concerned than expected because he entered overseas at a later age than other players, he is considered to have the most successful career among Japanese players who have advanced overseas. Recently, he has solidified his position as a starting player, making his 100th appearance for Brighton.
Mitoma said "I was able to move abroad at that time, and I think going to Belgium was definitely a good process. People around me said 'I'm not young' I think I heard that until I was 23 years old." "I didn't expect to come to the Premier League when I was a freshman in college, but regardless of my age, I came all the way here through various courses and efforts. I don't know if I could have come this far if I went straight to the professional after graduating from high school. I'm looking forward to seeing how far I can go when I'm more mature.'
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
