Man City target ‘incredible’ £50m PL star as replacement for Riyad Mahrez

Manchester City fans have been reacting to a post on Twitter which relays a report that claims Pep Guardiola’s side are eyeing up Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma as a potential replacement for departed Riyad Mahrez.

City boss Pep Guardiola is in the market for a new right-winger after the Algerian completed a £30million move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

The treble winners have already added Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise and Rennes winger Jeremy Doku on their shortlist of potential replacements.

And now, according to the Daily Star, Brighton’s Japanese international has also caught the attention of City boss Pep Guardiola.

As per the report, Guardiola finds Mitoma a ‘very interesting’ prospect as he seeks out new blood to bolster his wide options at the Etihad Stadium.

A separate report from The Sun claim that Guardiola ‘will move’ for Mitoma ‘next after finally landing’ Gvardiol with the Japanese winger now ‘also on the radar’.

They describe Guardiola as a ‘big fan’ of Mitoma – who has two years left on his contract at the Amex Stadium – and he’s been ‘identified by the treble winners as a potential replacement for’ Riyad Mahrez.

The 26-year-old was one of the real revelations of last season in the Premier League. His dribbling ability caused numerous problems for defenders as Roberto De Zerbi’s side took the division by storm.

The Seagulls are ‘unlikely to allow the Japanese international to leave easily’ and Mitoma ‘could cost up to £50m’ if Man City follow up their interest with a bid.

Man City boss Guardiola picked Mitoma out for special praise during their friendly match with Yokohama F Marinos on the Citizens’ pre-season tour of the Far East

“Well I would say the impact of [Kaoru] Mitoma on the Premier League has been incredible,” Guardiola told reporters after being asked about the quality of Asian football.

“He is in the right place with the right manager and his last season was extraordinary.

“And look at what Japan have done in the World Cup in a tough, tough group.”