Football
Exclusive: Takehiro Tomiyasu Attracts Interest from Brighton and Brentford Following Arsenal Departure
Brighton and Brentford are eyeing former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who became a free agent after a knee injury ended his season. The Japanese international has potential despite his injury setback, with both clubs interested in his services. Arsenal have already made moves to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
Arsenal FC v Southampton FC - Premier League by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media | Getty Images
Brighton and Brentford are both interested in former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
But the Seagulls and Bees know they would likely have to wait until November before the injured Japan international right-back would be ready to play.
Tomiyasu joined the Gunners in a high-profile £19million deal in August 2021, but last season he played just one game for Mikel Arteta’s side after suffering a bad knee injury.
The 26-year-old was on the pitch for just six minutes before his season was prematurely ended and knee surgery was required, keeping him out for a predicted four or five more months.
As a result Arsenal came to an agreement with the player to terminate his contract my mutual consent earlier this month.
But both Brighton and Brentford see huge potential in the player, especially as a free agent and his release from the Emirates Stadium after four seasons in the Premier League.
KNEE SURGERY
Tomiyaso played over 20 Premier League games per season from 2021 to 2024, but his knee injury frustratingly prevented any progress in the last year of his four-year deal.
And both player and club deemed it best he left to continue his rehabilitation in Japan and then hopefully find a new club towards the back end of the calendar year.
Tomiyaso played 84 times for Arsenal after signing for the club from Italian outfit Bologna.
He won the FA Community Shield with the Gunners in 2023 and has represented his country since 2018, making 42 appearances for Japan and playing in the 2022 World Cup and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Gunners let Kieran Tierney join Celtic in the summer window, but have targeted Valenica centre-back Chrishian Mosquera as one of their defensive reinforcements ahead of the new season.
The north London club have agreed deals for midfielders Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad) and Christian Norgaard (Brentford), as well as Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.