According to reports, Yoshinori Muto has held talks about leaving Newcastle United.
The Chronicle have since backed up these claims, suggesting that Muto could be on the brink of a permanent Newcastle departure.
The 29-year-old left last summer, joining Eibar on loan. Sadly, Muto only scored twice as the Spanish side suffered relegation.
It’s been a grim few years for Muto since leaving Mainz.
He joined the Magpies in 2018 for £9.5million. He was signed by Rafa Benitez, brought in as a replacement for Dwight Gayle who had joined West Brom on loan that summer.
Sadly, Muto severely struggled at St James’ Park.
In his first year he scored just once – the Magpies’ second in a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.
His second season was just as successful, scoring a single goal in a League Cup exit to Leicester.
Muto has had two different managers at Newcastle, and neither have given him a proper run in the team.
He did briefly feature in our first pre-season game of the summer, coming off the bench in the 1-0 defeat to York. However, he was nowhere to be seen against Doncaster.
A move to Greece is best for both parties. Muto has been an absolute waste of money for the Magpies. However, he’ll probably argue that he didn’t get enough minutes.
Regardless, Muto is on £54,000 a week, and with money currently tight, we can’t afford to keep paying him a huge wage if he’s not going to contribute.
With one year left to run on his deal, it’s essential that we move him on this summer.
Sadly for Muto, he will be remembered as one of Rafa Benitez’s worst signings as Newcastle manager.
No tears on Tyneside as Yoshinori Muto reportedly nears Newcastle exit
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