Yoshinori Muto’s three-year stint on Tyneside really does look like it’s come to an end.
A few days ago, Japanese media claimed that the 29-year-old was closing in on a return to his homeland – and these reports have now been confirmed by Sky Sports.
They claim that J1 League side Vissel Kobe have agreed a deal with Newcastle United to sign the forward on a permanent deal.
Here’s a snippet from their transfer centre late last night, confirming that the £9.5m flop is on his way back to Japan:
‘Newcastle striker Yoshinori Muto is set to return to Japan to play for Vissel Kobe.
‘The two clubs have agreed a permanent deal that will bring to an end his three-year stay on Tyneside.
‘Muto joined from Mainz in 2018 for almost £10m but has failed to make an impact in the Premier League and spent last season on loan at Eibar in Spain.
‘The Japan international has scored just one Premier League goal in 25 appearances, and once for Eibar in La Liga last term.‘
Muto has scored just two goals in 28 appearances in a black and white shirt, and his loan spell in La Liga last season wasn’t much better.
He managed just three goals in 28 games for Eibar across 2020/21 – a season that saw Florian Lejeune’s former club suffer relegation from the Spanish top flight.
The fee agreed won’t be a big one – we’ll be lucky to get a couple of million when you consider recent form and the fact he’s out of contract in less than 12 months time – however it will just be good to get his £54,000 per-week pay packet off the wage bill!
