Newcastle United are hoping to finalise the signing of Yoshinori Muto by the end of the week as they wait on a work permit for the Japan international, according to the Chronicle.
The regional newspaper report that the Magpies are expecting a ruling from the FA in the next few days as they wait for the required paperwork, a Governing Body Endorsement.
The Chronicle claim that Muto’s work permit application will be heard by an FA Exceptions panel, and the striker could be in line to make his debut against Augsburg at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
Newcastle agreed a £9.5million fee with Mainz for Muto last week, and he has already passed a medical with the club.
OPINION
Bringing Muto in as soon as possible has to be a priority for the Magpies as they look to prepare the best they can for the new season. The Japan international will need as much time as possible to get settled and comfortable at the club, and the sooner they can get him involved the better. Muto will never have played in a competition like the Premier League, and it will likely take him a while to make an impact on Tyneside, but the signs are there to suggest that he will improve this Newcastle side. The 26-year-old is a hard worker, with good pace and brilliant football intelligence. If the club manage to sign a player like Salomon Rondon from West Bromwich Albion, then Muto could easily form a deadly partnership with a player like that who can hold up play and feed balls in behind. As mentioned it may take a while for the Toon Army to see this kind of impact, but there is no doubt that the club have a talented player on their hands here.
