Newcastle have a massive lack of strikers as they head to China for the start of their pre-season campaign, and it is the priority area that needs to be addressed before the start of the season proper.
With Salomon Rondon’s loan deal ending, the sale of Ayoze Perez to the ambitious Leicester City, and Joselu looking set to return to Spain, Dwight Gayle is the only senior out-and-out striker at the club.
But Newcastle’s forgotten man, Yoshinori Muto, may be given a chance to show he can ease the striker worries during the Asia trip.
Signed last summer from Bundesliga side Mainz for around £9.5 million, the Japanese striker scored one goal from 17 Premier League appearances, with all but five of them as a substitute.
The 5ft 8in striker arrived with a reputation for scoring goals, having netted 10 goals and having five assists from just 30 appearances in Germany the previous season.
Chances were limited for Muto under Benitez and will hope for more next season
He was used very sparingly by Rafa Benitez last campaign, and while he may have taken time to adapt to the English game and way of life, this season will be pivotal to whether his stay on Tyneside will be a long one.
He needs to hit the ground running during pre-season, and get into the knack of scoring again, to put him in the frame for the new manager.
If he can start showing some good form, the pacy player could be a natural replacement for the departed Perez, and could become the epitome of the ‘feels like a new signing’ cliche.
If he does not make an impact next term, it will be unlikely that he will be adorning the black and white shirt a year from now.
As a result, Muto will definitely be a player to keep an eye on during the upcoming friendly games, and will be a player with a point to prove.
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