German newspaper BILD says West Ham are one of two Premier League clubs interested in 26-year-old forward Yoshinori Muto from Mainz.
The report claims that a move to England is very serious with Newcastle the second club linked in the Japanese player.
Mainz board have confirmed: “The English have definitely woken up, there is now increased interest in Yoshi.”
Muto joined Mainz for 2.8 million Euros when it came from Tokyo in 2015 but will be available on a free transfer in 2019 when his contract expires.
He is due to return to Germany this week from his extended break after being involved in world cup action for Japan.
The striker is said to be valued around £14m which makes him good value in the current transfer market.
Looks like he would be a positive signing – the Japanese looked decent at the WC and he would be an upgrade on Hugill, although I write that with a little trepidation, as I don’t think he really had a chance to prove himself…
So we’d have a potential forward options consisting of Hernandez, Arnie, Muto, Carroll and Antonio (assuming Hugill leaves, and with the latter two as backups when fit)…?