Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has said that he will hold talks with Yoshinori Muto at the end of the season and has no problems with the attitude of the Japan international. The Magpies have stayed clear of the relegation over the course of the entire season and they will end their campaign this weekend with a home game against Liverpool.
Muto has played as the deputy behind Dwight Gayle and Joelinton for the striker’s role this term and he has been restricted to only eight league appearances totalling 209 minutes. Hence, he has been fancied to head for the exit door in the quest for more game time and Bruce is prepared to hold showdown talks with the former Mainz star.
“Look, I’ll sit down with Muto. He hasn’t had the best of times under me, gamewise. He’s a great pro, trains well, so I’ve got no problem with him. No issues, it’s just that we have forward players at the minute who are ahead of him,” he told in a press conference.
The 28-year-old joined the Magpies from Mainz after registering 23 goals and 11 assists from 72 appearances and he was touted to make an impression for the Magpies alongside Salomon Rondon, who had joined from West Bromwich Albion on loan. While Rondon was able to catch the eye with 12 goals, Muto could not make a similar impression and ended the season with just one goal from 19 outings.
The current season has gone in the same direction and reports claim that he has grown frustrated with the deputy role. Hence, he could head for a new challenge this summer and a return to the Bundesliga could be an option for him. Muto has made only 10 appearances for the Magpies this term, scoring one goal in the process.