---
title: "Premier League rivals join Newcastle in pursuit of Japanese international"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2018/07/18/premier-league-rivals-join-newcastle-in-pursuit-of-japanese-international/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ryan Darby"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2018-07-18T10:55:46Z"
modified: "2018-07-18T10:55:46Z"
---

# Premier League rivals join Newcastle in pursuit of Japanese international

Newcastle will have competition from domestic rivals West Ham in their efforts to bring Mainz striker Yoshinori Muto to the Premier League.

According to report [Bild](https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/mainz-05/stuermer-muto-vor-wechsel-56346112.bild.html), the Bundesliga side are ready to cash in on the player with interest mounting in his services.

Both clubs have expressed an interest in the striker, who has been [linked](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9870695/japanese-striker-yoshinori-muto-reveals-reasons-for-turning-down-chelsea) with moves to Arsenal and Chelsea in the past.

Muto impressed in the Bundesliga last season, scoring eight times. He was tipped to play a big role in Japan’s World Cup campaign but was forced into a bit-part role within the squad.

![Kaz Photography/Getty Images Sport](https://production-354f.kxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2018/07/599657970.jpg)

Both Newcastle and West Ham are looking to add goals to their squad this summer.

With Aleksandar Mitrovic expected to leave the Magpies for Fulham, they are in the market for a striker after struggling for goals last season.

West Ham also relied heavily on Marko Arnautovic for goals under David Moyes, but there are concerns about the Austrian’s future at the London Stadium beyond the current transfer window.