According to reports in German media outlet Kicker, Newcastle United have scouted Mainz 05 striker Yoshinori Muto this season with the 25-year-old, who is rated at £4.05m according to Transfermarkt, keen to move to the Premier League this summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Kicker says that the Japan international is keen to follow in the footsteps of Leicester City attacker Shinji Okazaki by moving to England from Mainz, following three years with the Bundesliga outfit.
Muto’s contract with the German club is due to expire in 2019 and Kicker says they believe they could get a good fee from Premier League club for the striker this summer, rather than risk losing him for nothing if he doesn’t sign a new contract.
How has Muto done this season?
He has done well.
The centre-forward has scored seven goals and provided a further two assists in 23 Bundesliga appearances for the German top flight strugglers, while he has netted nine times in 26 outings in all competitions.
The 25-year-old has 22 goals in 68 games in total for Mainz following his move from FC Tokyo in 2015.
Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?
It’s difficult to say.
While his goalscoring record is decent some of his other statistics on WhoScored.com suggest that he isn’t particularly good with the ball at his feet or strong at winning aerial duels, and you would have to wonder whether he would be suited to the Premier League.
Two goals in 21 caps for Japan is hardly impressive either, and while he may be available for a decent price in the current market this summer, the Magpies should be aiming higher if they retain their Premier League status this season and are looking to push on and progress next term, unless he arrives as a back-up option and the disappointing Joselu, who has four goals in 27 games for the Toon and was criticised by the St James’ Park faithful on his birthday this week, moves on.
Okazaki’s success with Leicester could tempt Benitez into doing a deal, but he would surely be looking to bring another new striker to the club as well to boost his goal-shy frontline.
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