Mainz forward Yoshinori Muto is jetting into the UK after the German club agreed a £9.5million transfer with Newcastle United, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.
The reliable journalist claimed on his personal Twitter account on Thursday that Muto, 26, is edging closer to a seven-figure switch to St James’ Park and is on a flight from Japan to the North East.
BREAKING: We understand Newcastle have agreed a fee with Mainz to sign Yoshinori Muto for £9.5m.
The Japanese striker is currently on a flight from Germany to Newcastle to complete his move.— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) July 26, 2018
Correction: flight from Tokyo, not Germany.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) July 26, 2018
Muto scored 10 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions for Bundesliga club Mainz last term and represented Japan at the World Cup in Russia.
Good move for Newcastle?
Muto’s goalscoring record is not amazing, but Rafa Benitez could not exactly go for someone who is prolific in a top European league due to the lack of funding that he has been given by owner Mike Ashley.
£9.5million is not a bad fee for someone who is a seasoned international and has experience of playing in the Bundesliga, but he has only scored 23 goals in 72 appearances across all competitions since 2015.
Is Muto better than the other Newcastle-linked striker Salomon Rondon? Both of their goalscoring records are similar, but Rondon has been doing it in a more competitive league.
It could work out well for the Magpies, but it’s quite a hard one to judge.
This is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
With Muto now on his way to England to wrap up his transfer, it’s very likely that Benitez is finally signing a centre-forward.
While there are bound to be worries about his goal record, at least Newcastle have finally been able to get a £9.5million deal over the line to land the Japan international.
This is Futbol rating 10/10