Newcastle United are interested in signing Japanese international Yoshinori Muto and FSV Mainz are ready to sanction the forward’s transfer, if one condition is met.
The 25-year-old arrived in Germany from Tokyo in 2015 and has one year left on his current deal with the Bundesliga outfit. He has seven goals and registered two assists in 25 league appearances this season, while has scored two goals in the cup competition.
According to the German publication Bild, Mainz paid FC Tokyo €2.8m for Muto three years back. Now they are looking for a fee of around €20m to part ways with the Asian attacker.
Mainz sporting director Rouven Schroder has stressed the German club are open to the idea of sanctioning Muto’s sale, if they receive a “decent offer”.
“I can understand that Yoshi has this desire at his age. Also, that he speaks publicly, is fine. With a decent offer, we’ll certainly talk. He simply has a contract with us!” Bild quoted Schroder as saying.
Muto has already expressed his desire to play in England’s top flight club competition. He told Sport Bild: “I cannot say much, but it’s always been my goal to play in the Premier League.”
Newcastle United may feel €20m is a bit on the steep side. The Premier League club were this week the only side named by SportBild as they talked up a move to England.
