It has been reported that Manchester City are keen on signing Brighton & Hove Albion’s Kaoru Mitoma as a replacement for Riyad Mahrez.

This comes from the Daily Star, after Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday that City have a mystery winger on their list of replacements for the Algerian apart from Michael Olise and Jeremy Doku.

Now, it seems Kaoru Mitoma could well be the solution for Manchester City as the man to succeed Riyad Mahrez.

Manchester City plotting Kaoru Mitoma transfer as Riyad Mahrez replacement

Recently branded as ‘extraordinary’ by Pep Guardiola himself via Manchester Evening News, the £2.5 million (GiveMeSport) man was one of the best wide forwards in the Premier League last season.

The Japanese international instantly established himself as one of the best wingers in the league, renowned for his elite dribbling, sublime close control and splendid technical ability.

Now, it has indeed been revealed that Manchester City have earmarked Kaoru Mitoma as an able replacement for Riyad Mahrez.

In fact, Pep Guardiola internally considers the 26-year-old as a ‘very interesting’ player, with City aiming to launch a £50 million plus bid for his signature, while Chelsea could offer as much as £90 million to secure his services.

Kaoru Mitoma is exceptional but there is a question mark

While one can understand why Kaoru Mitoma has generated interest from Manchester City, what does not quite add up is how a natural left-winger such as him would be fit to replace Riyad Mahrez.

On the left flank, the Sky Blues already have Jack Grealish, who was the archetypal Pep Guardiola wideman as per his newfound system last season.

However, on the right flank, after Riyad Mahrez’s departure, the only natural winger remains Cole Palmer, who is still a young prospect whose future also remains unclear.

As a result, bringing in Mitoma would be a strange decision from a positional point of view but in terms of his profile and talent, the move would be a blockbuster hit.