Liverpool ‘Interested’ in Premier League Winger as Potential Luis Diaz Replacement – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool Transfer Plans: Hughes Eyes Mitoma if Diaz Saga Ends in Departure

Liverpool’s transfer window is shaping up to be anything but straightforward. While new sporting director Richard Hughes is wasting little time laying foundations for Arne Slot’s second season, the Luis Díaz situation is proving a decisive factor in dictating summer priorities.

According to The Athletic, the club is exploring the idea of moving for Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma should Díaz depart. But as it stands, no significant developments on Díaz’s contract have emerged, and Liverpool remain firm that only a substantial bid would lead to a sale. The interest from the Saudi Pro League lingers, and if that intensifies, it could trigger a chain reaction that ends with Mitoma arriving at Anfield.

“It promises to be an anxious summer transfer window for supporters accustomed to revelling in his wizardry,” the report noted. That line could apply to both Mitoma and Díaz.

Photo: IMAGO

Style Fit and Tactical Compatibility

Mitoma would bring with him a skill set tailor-made for Arne Slot’s system. The Japanese winger is well-versed in high pressing and structured, possession-based football under Brighton’s Fabian Hürzeler, which mirrors many principles Slot introduced at Feyenoord and has already embedded at Liverpool.

His Premier League experience is invaluable. In 88 league appearances since arriving in 2022, Mitoma has delivered 20 goals and 13 assists. Not elite numbers, but certainly enough to suggest he could flourish in a higher-functioning attacking unit.

“Mitoma had no interest in a move to the Saudi Pro League when Brighton rejected offers from Al Nassr of £54m and £61m in the January transfer window,” The Athletic reported, making it clear that the 28-year-old’s ambitions lie firmly within elite European competition.

He himself added, “That is one goal, but if I focus on what’s in front of me and do it right, I believe I can play in it,” when asked about the Champions League. That ambition might just align perfectly with Liverpool’s offer.

What Must Happen First

However, Mitoma won’t be walking through the door until Díaz’s situation is resolved. If no club meets Liverpool’s high valuation of the Colombian, the Reds are unlikely to pursue a like-for-like winger. There are also internal solutions. Cody Gakpo is one, having contributed 18 goals and six assists across 2701 minutes last season. Arne Slot may trust his countryman to shoulder more responsibility on the left.

Photo: IMAGO

Yet, should Díaz move on, Liverpool could pounce. Brighton’s failure to qualify for Europe may push Mitoma to seek a new challenge. And while his contract runs until 2027, this could be the summer when his future is truly decided.

International Influence and Squad Integration

The presence of Wataru Endo in Liverpool’s midfield could also be influential. The two Japanese internationals know each other well, and that familiarity could help Mitoma settle quickly in a demanding environment.

For Liverpool, the move would signal a clear intent to reinforce a title-winning squad with players entering their prime, already tested in the Premier League and capable of adapting instantly.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

It’s no surprise to see Liverpool heavily linked with Kaoru Mitoma. Arne Slot has already proven he’s not afraid to build his system around dynamic, intelligent players who know how to function within structured attacking patterns, and Mitoma fits that blueprint perfectly.

The key issue remains the Díaz situation. Most fans would agree the Colombian has been inconsistent in terms of output, and if Liverpool receive a serious offer from the Saudi Pro League, the timing might be right to cash in and reinvest. Mitoma would offer more directness and perhaps greater positional discipline, and there’s a sense he hasn’t hit his full stride at Brighton yet.

Some will argue Gakpo deserves his shot as a starter on the left, and that’s a fair point given his impressive stats from last season. But adding depth and variety is essential, especially with a Champions League campaign looming. Imagine a front line where Gakpo, Mitoma and Jota can all rotate, keeping intensity high throughout a long season.

Financially, Liverpool will need to be smart. Brighton don’t sell cheap, and Mitoma’s value will be protected by his contract length. But if Díaz goes and Mitoma becomes available, Hughes and Slot could do far worse than moving decisively.