Yoshinori Muto is keen to leave Newcastle United in January over his lack of first-team action, according to the Telegraph.
Muto joined the club from 1.FSV Mainz 05 in 2018 for £9.5million after staring for Japan at that summer’s World Cup in Russia, and holding out on moves away from the Bundesliga in the hope of signing for the Magpies.
He has only been awarded one start in the Premier League this season, however, with Steve Bruce also omitting the 27-year-old from his matchday squad four times in our last five top-flight games.
Rafa Benitez barely turned to Muto last term, either, with the Spaniard handing the £8.1m-rated striker 18 appearances across all competitions for a total of 593 minutes on the field.
Muto’s first start in Black and White gave slight hope that he could turn his time on Tyneside into a success by scoring against Manchester United, but his effort in the 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford remains his only Premier League goal for the club.
His second, and last, strike came in this term’s Carabao Cup loss to Leicester City, when he pulled the game level from close-range shortly after half-time by reacting first when Jetro Willems went to ground inside the six-yard box.
Does Muto have a future at St. James' Park?
Yes, absolutely
No, he isn't good enough
Muto is under contract on Tyneside until the summer of 2022 on a deal worth £54,000-per-week, making him one of Newcastle’s highest earners.
The club’s stance on Muto’s future is not noted in the Telegraph’s report, although it is claimed the board will be looking to offload fellow high-earners Jack Colback and Henri Saivet after neither were able to secure moves in the summer.