Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou revealed last week that the Hoops did try to sign Kaoru Mitoma before he joined Brighton.
The Japanese international is now being pursued by a number of clubs (including Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool). Fans on Twitter have been left wondering what might have been:
I really didn’t need to know this. He would have been incredible for us
— henke (@Jaxzcsc) April 1, 2023
The one who got away
— J D (@jamesmcd6788) April 2, 2023
Imagine man
— liam tones (@TonesLiam) April 2, 2023
Imagine what terrors this man would do on a league who’s best right back outside of his own team is James tavernier…
— Jack 🍀 (@JackMcA_1888) April 1, 2023
I was talking if this today how'd ange and his scouting network let this one slide , but clearly he was spotted just too late
— Viva La Quinta Jota (@PJOConroy) April 1, 2023
Class player. Just scored another clinker on MOTD. Brighton will do very well to hold onto him.
— The Last Bhoy Scout (@Last_BhoyScout) April 1, 2023
Imagine bruv 🤩
— Pierce 🏴| 🇮🇪 (@CFCpierce) April 2, 2023
Mitoma was at J League side Kawasaki Frontale, which was the same club that Reo Hatate joined Celtic from, but he had all but finalised a switch to Brighton before Postecoglou made an enquiry.
After moving to the Seagulls in the summer of 2021, the winger then went out on loan to Union Saint-Gilloise for a year before being integrated into the English Premier League club’s first team this season.
The fact that Postecoglou could have brought in both Mitoma and Kyogo Furuhashi during the same summer demonstrates his superb eye for talent. Hoops supporters will be happy that, at least, one of them came in through the doors at Lennoxtown.