Mainz sporting director Rouven Schröder has revealed that Japan international Yoshinori Muto is close to completing a move away from the Bundesliga club.
Muto is currently on Tyneside ahead of completing a switch to Newcastle, with the 26-year old forward costing the Magpies £9.5million.
As reported by The Chronicle, Schröder had this to say on Muto today:
We have had good and constructive discussions with Newcastle United and we have come to an agreement in principle, there are still some key details to clarify, but we are confident that we will soon reach a final transfer decision.
This was followed by an official statement from the club, which stated:
Yoshinori Muto will not return to the Bruchweg as planned on Friday after his extended World Cup vacation.
The Japanese striker is facing a possible move to England in the Premier League.
The clubs are, as far as the terms of the contract, largely agreed, however, are around the change still time-consuming formalities to be done.
Muto is believed to be keen on the challenge of the Premier League, and has set himself the challenge of netting 10 goals in the league this season.
