Chelsea look east as they make bid for Japanese striker
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It’s not a Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Juventus that Chelsea are poised to raid this summer, but FC Tokyo, reports claim.
The Japanese club’s president has confirmed that the Blues have made an offer for striker Yoshinori Muto worth around £4m.
The 22-year-old only broke through to become a regular in the J-League last season, but took to the top level like a duck to water, scoring 13 goals in 33 games for …
That return matched the current record for most strikes by a player in their maiden season in the country’s top tier.
He’s started this campaign off in much the same way, netting three goals in four games, helping his side up to second place in the table.
A current international for the Rising Sun nation, Muto was a mainstay in Japan’s Asia Cup squad, but failed to find the net.
His current tally of one goal in 10 caps may not be that inspiring, but having played relatively little football, he could still come good.
Speaking on the bid from the Premier League leaders, Muto spoke of his humbling at the interest:
“I’m honoured to receive an offer from this wonderful team”, he is quoted as saying.
“But I have not made any decision yet,” he added.
If Jose Mourinho can convince the forward to join the Stamford Bridge outfit he would become the club’s first Japanese representative, and only the seventh to play in the Premier League.
He may not have the immediate headline grab as previous moves for Diego Costa and Juan Cuadrado did, but the Blues will be hoping their eastern import can have a similar effect.
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