By Tam McManus

30th Mar, 2023 | 5:37pm

Brighton face 'massive' Kaoru Mitoma problem after sources talks reveal - pundit

It will be a ‘massive challenge’ for Brighton to keep Kaoru Mitoma and other key players from leaving this summer.

That is the opinion of former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about Brighton’s latest contract offer.

Football Insider sources revealed on 18 March that Brighton have opened talks with Mitoma over a new double-your-money deal.

The 25-year-old breakthrough star is currently on £20,000-a-week at the Amex Stadium, but the Seagulls are tabling a new contract that will double his earnings at the club.

Mitoma has scored nine and assisted six times this season to help Brighton up to seventh in the Premier League standings.

McManus hailed Mitoma as ‘outstanding’ and believes Brighton are right to reward his impressive form this season.

“It’s a massive challenge for Brighton to protect the squad they have in the summer,” McManus told Football Insider.

“They’ve been brilliant this season, and are a great team to watch.

“They’ve got a lot of players who they seemingly plucked from nowhere and Mitoma definitely falls under that bracket. 

“He’s been outstanding and he is now getting circled by big clubs.

“He won’t have been handed huge money when he arrived from Japan so it’s only fair that Brighton reward him with a substantial pay rise for his brilliant form.

“He’s one of many players that Brighton will want to get tied down to new deals to protect their investment.“

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