Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu could prove to be the secret weapon in the Gunners pursuit to sign Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, via Caught Offside, the Gunners have Mitoma on their radar, having previously signed both Leandro Trossard and Ben White from the Seagulls in recent years.
Now, the Japan winger has been speaking about his fondness for international teammate Tomiyasu whilst admitting that he strives to play at the highest level, perhaps a hint at his desire to one day play at a top club like Arsenal.
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“I haven’t found it tough living here yet," Mitoma told Optus Sport. "Having him (Tomiyasu) in London is a nice reassurance even if I can’t see him much because of busy schedules.
"But we get along well as teammates for Japan and we both strive to play at higher levels."
Mitoma has netted 10 goals and provided a further five assists across all competitions this term, numbers that read even more impressively when you consider that he had barely started any matches during the first half of the season.
Still, former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has previously urged Mitoma not to join Mikel Arteta's side this summer, telling the 25-year-old to continue his development at the Amex Stadium.
Speaking to Football Insider last month, Agbonlahor said: “Mitoma has been excellent, obviously, for Brighton but it’s so different when you go to a top club.
"We’ve seen it so many times with players who can’t do it at the higher level after making the step up. Just because you have a good season doesn’t mean you’re instantly going to succeed when you move for £60million or £70million.
"I think Mitoma should stay at Brighton another season and go to the next level because they’re a club on the up.”
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