Bundesliga club Mainz are close to beating Chelsea to the signature of Japan striker Yoshinori Muto, it has been claimed in the player's homeland.
Muto currently turns out for FC Tokyo, but has been strongly linked with signing for Jose Mourinho's Premier League champions, who recently announced a big-money sponsorship deal with Japanese firm the Yokohama Rubber Company.
While Muto is attracted to Chelsea, he is concerned about qualifying for a work permit in England, according to a source at the club, who spoke to Japanese news agency Kyodo News.
As such, the 22-year-old is edging closer towards signing for German club Mainz.
Muto, who has scored eight goals in eleven league games so far this season, is thought to have also noted how several of his countrymen have flourished in the German top flight.
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He would also link up with fellow Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki at Mainz, another plus for Muto.
It is thought that if the deal goes through Mainz will pay around the €3m mark to sign the FC Tokyo hitman.
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