Newcastle signing Doan may improve international team-mate Muto's poor form

By Sam Preston

Newcastle United are ready for a transfer tussle with reigning champions Manchester City for the signature of Ritsu Doan in the January transfer window, according to the Chronicle.

The Japanese international wideman reportedly has a pricetag of just £1.7m and Newcastle’s hopes of securing his services would revolve around offering him far more gametime than Pep Guardiola’s City can.

Doan currently plies his trade in Holland with Groningen, for whom he has netted four goals and contributed two assists so far this season.

That has attracted the attention of Rafa Benitez, who would have two Japanese internationals in his squad should he manage to beat Guardiola to signing Doan.

(Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)

Yoshinori Muto moved to the north east during the summer transfer window but has yet to display many signs that he can help ease the Magpies’ goalscoring worries.

But perhaps the arrival of his international team-mate would help him feel more settled and comfortable, allowing him to show the form that pushed Benitez to bring him to the club a matter of months ago.

That link-up from international duty may help both players, if Benitez can convince the winger to shun the lure of City; which is no mean feat.