In the wake of Real Madrid securing Vinicius Junior’s commitment with a new contract, former striker Tony Cascarino has put forward an intriguing proposition for Arsenal: a surprise pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion’s dynamic winger, Kaoru Mitoma. This suggestion emerges after Arsenal’s well-documented, albeit ultimately unsuccessful, efforts to attract the Brazilian star to the Emirates Stadium. For approximately eighteen months, the Gunners had been diligently working to persuade Vinicius to leave Madrid, even presenting him with a compelling vision of his future as the club’s undisputed talisman, a central figure in their ambitious project.
While Vinicius was reportedly receptive to Arsenal’s overtures and genuinely considered the prospect, his deep-seated desire to remain at the Bernabéu ultimately prevailed. His subsequent agreement to a new six-year deal with the Spanish giants has naturally compelled Arsenal to recalibrate their transfer strategy and shift their focus to alternative targets. The club is understood to be actively considering Bradley Barcola, Iliman Ndiaye, and Nico Williams as primary options for strengthening their left wing, with Juventus’ emerging talent Kenan Yildiz also featuring on their radar.
However, Cascarino, a prominent voice on talkSPORT, believes that Mikel Arteta and his recruitment team should not overlook the potential of Kaoru Mitoma. He articulated his viewpoint by stating, “If he was a tad younger and hadn’t had so many injuries, I’d really look at him.” Cascarino elaborated on Mitoma’s capabilities, acknowledging that when the Japanese international is at his best, he exhibits a “scarily good” level of performance, often being Brighton’s standout player. He did concede that Mitoma experienced a less impactful season last year, marred by a series of injuries and a modest tally of three league goals for Brighton. Nevertheless, Cascarino emphasized Mitoma’s inherent threat as a winger, highlighting his constant willingness to take on opponents, a trait he believes would be a valuable addition to Arsenal’s squad, especially given their existing depth in the position.
Arsenal’s current winger situation is complex. They recently sanctioned the transfer of Leandro Trossard to Besiktas and have brought in Christos Tzolis as a potential replacement. However, the club is reportedly in the market for an elite-level upgrade on Gabriel Martinelli, seeking a player who can consistently deliver match-winning performances. Mitoma, at 29 years old, has already demonstrated his potent ability to trouble Premier League full-backs, proving himself a formidable force when in full stride and exceptionally difficult to contain. His impact was such that Al-Nassr reportedly lodged a substantial £75 million bid for his services in January 2025, a proposal that Brighton ultimately rejected.
Despite Cascarino’s endorsement, there are valid reservations regarding Mitoma’s suitability as Arsenal’s primary target for a Champions League-contending squad. Some analysts suggest that he may not yet represent the top-tier, consistently reliable winger required to elevate Arsenal to the pinnacle of European football. In this context, PSG’s Bradley Barcola is increasingly being viewed as a more fitting solution. The French prodigy is reportedly keen on a move away from Paris Saint-Germain, sparking a potential transfer battle between Arsenal and Liverpool.
While Liverpool are currently perceived as the frontrunners for Barcola’s signature, Arsenal have made a significant entry into the race. Contrary to earlier speculation suggesting a done deal between Liverpool and PSG for €128 million (£110 million), our sources have refuted these claims, thereby presenting Arsenal with a genuine opportunity to make their move. It is understood that PSG’s valuation for Barcola stands at €150 million (£129 million), although prospective suitors are expected to negotiate this figure downwards.
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