Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma is set to sign a new long-term contract with the Seagulls, according to talkSPORT.

The British radio station claim that both Arsenal and Bayern Munich were interested in signing the Japanese international but he now looks set to stay on the south coast.

It is believed that the Gunners have been planning to recruit a winger all summer, as they seek to strengthen their options on the right flank.

Mitoma does generally play off the left-hand side, but his dribbling ability and talent on the ball mean he wouldn’t have had any issues switching wings if required.

The 26-year-old made his breakthrough in the Premier League last season, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists in 41 appearances. He has started this campaign in the same rich vein of form, creating one of the goals in Brighton’s 4-1 win over Luton Town on Saturday.

Mitoma has many admirers

The winger has won plaudits from plenty of pundits over the last twelve months, with former England striker Jermain Defoe saying back in February:

“It’s incredible, what a signing, what a player they’ve got there. It’s such an amazing story, we never see it. It’s down to recruitment, credit to the club, to find a player like that.”

Arsenal wouldn’t have been able to afford Mitoma anyway

The Japanese star was actually linked with Manchester City earlier this month and it was reported that Brighton would demand as much as £50m for the player.

Considering the Gunners are having to sign David Raya from Brentford on an initial loan deal due to Financial Fairplay restrictions, it seems as if the money would not have been there to sign Mitoma too.

The London club will still likely be keeping tabs on the winger’s progress ahead of a potential approach in a future transfer window.