A section of Newcastle fans have been reacting on Twitter after it was reported that the club is in the final stages of talks to sign Mainz centre-forward Yoshinori Muto.
Japanese news outlet Kyodo News has claimed that Muto, 26, is on the verge of agreeing a deal to join the Magpies this summer and he was spotted at Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Thursday ahead of potentially joining the Tyneside club.
The Japan international was asked about whether he would be heading to Newcastle, to which he replied: “I can’t say yet but I should be able to deliver good news soon.”
Some Newcastle fans have been left completely divided about potentially signing Muto, with one fan claiming he is an “exciting prospect” while another has said he is “bang average”.
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Had never heard of Muto this time yesterday but I can officially confirm he is better than Messi #nufc
— Liam (@L1ammm1) July 26, 2018
An exciting prospect that could be very good
— John NUFC1981????????? (@John37567933) July 26, 2018
Poor goals record; works hard but decidedly bang average, passing’s not great and no good in the air. Can’t believe this is a Rafa signing at all… more like a MA reach-around for the Far East commercial market… same with Ki….. #IfRafaGoesWeGo
— Leazes End Mag (@Paul_J6) July 26, 2018
https://twitter.com/HarryKeogh5/status/1022385712803577856
https://twitter.com/TheToon1892/status/1022378151597547520
Form what I saw at the wc fast good on ball got a decent strike and good in the air but is a one footed player
— Andrew Wells (@Wellzy95nufc) July 26, 2018
Can't say I'm overly excited by Muto if it does happen. Clearly Rafa's 5th choice. #nufc
— Alex J (@alexj7190) July 26, 2018
OPINION
You can see why Newcastle fans would be so split on their opinions about Muto. He has only ever played in Japan and Germany, and in the Bundesliga his record in front of goal is very average. If he joins Newcastle, he will be moving to a tougher league with defences and goalkeepers that are harder to beat. Mainz are by no means a good team in the Bundesliga and probably create less chances than the Magpies, but it’s hard to see how this deal could improve the Tyneside club. As for comparisons to Lionel Messi, fans can always dream.