Report: Liverpool could be set to battle Tottenham Hotspur for Premier League forward | OneFootball

Kaoru Mitoma Transfer Latest as Liverpool Track Brighton Contract Stand-Off

Kaoru Mitoma is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing market situations of the coming windows, with TeamTalk reporting that Liverpool are keeping watch while Tottenham could offer a reunion with Roberto De Zerbi.

The Brighton winger finds himself in a delicate position. Mitoma’s current deal is running down, and while the club had hoped to secure clarity, the report states that his future at the AMEX has become increasingly uncertain. That matters for every side looking for value in a difficult market, and it matters for Liverpool because the player has been on their radar for some time.

According to the report, Mitoma is “emerging as what sources describe as a solid market opportunity” and that alone will attract serious attention across Europe. Players of proven Premier League quality rarely become available without a premium attached. If there is even a chance of securing one below market value, elite clubs tend to position themselves early.

Liverpool interest remains in place

Liverpool’s recruitment team have admired Mitoma for years, well before his move to Brighton from Kawasaki Frontale. That detail stands out. It suggests this is not reactive scouting based on a short burst of top-flight form, but a longer-held appreciation of his profile and qualities.

The original report states plainly, “Liverpool have retained a long-standing interest in Mitoma.” It also adds that “more sources have linked Anfield with monitoring his situation as the contract winds down.” For Liverpool, that usually means diligence rather than drama. They are assessing the contract, the recovery from injury, and whether the deal represents smart business.

Photo: IMAGO

There is obvious logic to the attraction. Mitoma has top-level experience, one-against-one quality, and proven output. The article refers to him as a “67-goal winger”, a figure that helps explain why several Champions League clubs are circling. A player with that record, available at a potentially reduced fee or as a free transfer candidate, will always draw interest.

Tottenham and De Zerbi angle could grow

Tottenham’s involvement feels significant because of the personal connection. The report notes that “the connection to Roberto De Zerbi, who previously managed Mitoma on the south coast, adding an extra layer and relationship.” Familiarity matters in these situations, especially when a player is weighing up role, trust and tactical fit after an injury-disrupted period.

There is also the suggestion that Spurs could move sooner if the numbers become attractive enough. TeamTalk writes that “the addition of Mitoma for a cut-price fee in the winter window could prove extremely handy over the last half of the season.” That is the sort of wording clubs across the league will notice.

Brighton, of course, may soon face a difficult decision. The report explains that they are confronting the classic dilemma of “selling at a reduced fee or risking losing a key asset for nothing”. Once that dynamic takes hold, leverage begins to shift away from the club and towards the player and his suitors.

Fitness will shape next move

Any immediate move may depend on fitness. Mitoma’s hamstring injury, suffered in May, ended his 2025-26 campaign and ruled him out of the World Cup. The article says “he is still working his way back under a cautious timetable” and that point is crucial.

For Liverpool, Tottenham and others, the quality is known. The unknown is timing. If Mitoma returns strongly, interest could sharpen quickly. If caution remains around his physical condition, then the chances of waiting for a more favourable deal may increase.

That is why this feels less like a sprint and more like a slow-build transfer story. Liverpool are watching, Tottenham have a relationship angle, Bayern Munich are mentioned again, and Brighton may soon need to decide whether value now is better than uncertainty later.

Our View

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this is one to approach with a fair bit of caution. Mitoma is an excellent player on his day, and there is no question he can trouble defenders in the Premier League. If the price drops enough, you can see why the club would look closely. Yet there are plenty of reasons to be unconvinced.

First, he is 29 and coming off a hamstring injury serious enough to end his season and rule him out of the World Cup. Liverpool have to be ruthless when it comes to availability and long-term planning. Signing a player because he is “a solid market opportunity” can sound smart, but only if the body holds up and the role is clear.

Then there is squad fit. Liverpool do not need to collect wide forwards for the sake of it. They need the right profile, the right wage level and someone who can genuinely raise the level. Mitoma is talented, but there is a difference between being a good option and being the option.

The Tottenham and De Zerbi links also make this feel like a story that could be useful to plenty of parties. Liverpool monitoring a situation is believable, but monitoring is not the same as moving. Until there is a stronger indication of intent, this feels more like sensible background checks than a deal building towards completion.

If the fee became very favourable, opinions would change quickly. For now, many Liverpool fans will admire the player while still wondering whether this is really where the club should be focusing its energy.