VfL Bochum, a second division club, is pursuing Rot-Weiss Essen's Kaito Mizuta and has initiated contact with the 25-year-old Japanese player. However, Bochum is not the only interested party, as league rival Hannover 96 has also reportedly shown interest. Mizuta's contract is set to expire in the summer. The versatile offensive player wants to play in a higher division next season and has 18 goal involvements in 28 matches in the 3. Liga. Mizuta joined Rot-Weiss Essen in January 2025, and his current market value is listed as €450k on Transfermarkt.