Brighton have plan to fend off Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Man City interest in star winger Kaoru Mitoma

Brighton are reportedly planning to offer Kaoru Mitoma a club-record contract to fend off summer interest in the star winger.

The Japan international has been a revelation for the Seagulls this season – chipping in with eight goals and six assists in 26 games in all competitions.

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His dazzling displays have helped Roberto De Zerbi’s men be in with an outside chance of finishing in the top four this season.

And he has also been influential in the south coast outfit reaching the FA Cup quarter-finals, with Grimsby standing in their way of advancing into the last-four.

It should come as no surprise that he has caught the attention of a number of clubs, with Arsenal known to be keeping tabs on the 25-year-old in a possible £35million deal.

And TEAMtalk have stated that the Gunners’ Premier League title rivals Manchester City are also keen on Mitoma’s signature, along with European giants Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

But in an effort to thwart off interest in the forward, it has been said that Brighton are looking to extend his stay beyond 2025 where they would make him their highest-paid player.

Transfer guru Graeme Bailey revealed: “Kaoru Mitoma has been one of the Premier League’s top performers this season.

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“He is very much the breakout star in England. It is not surprising that clubs from across Europe are looking at him and that is true.

“If he was on the market, Mitoma would have his pick of clubs. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester City… they have all taken an interest in his progress.

“However, just one season in and Brighton are not going to be selling, but they will be rewarding him with a huge new deal.

“Mitoma could very well become the highest paid player at the club and why not? He is fully deserving of it.

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“Mitoma’s current deal runs to 2025, but Brighton will reward him.”

Brighton will be desperate to avoid parting ways with the winger having reluctantly sold a number of first team stars in recent years.

Ben White and Leandro Trossard were sold to top-flight leaders Arsenal, while Chelsea snapped up Marc Cucurella for £60m and Yves Bissouma made the move to Tottenham.

And Brighton face a fight to keep Alexis Mac Allister at the Amex Stadium after he helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar.

Meanwhile it remains to be seen whether Moises Caicedo will look to force through a move away in the summer after his failed January exit – despite the midfielder signing a new deal earlier this month.