Newcastle United striker Yoshinori Muto is being lined up for a return to Germany.

The former Mainz star has been transfer-listed by Newcastle this month and been encouraged to find himself a new club.

While eager to sell, Newcastle are prepared to consider loan offers for Muto - and major interest is arriving from the Bundesliga.

FC Köln, Arminia Bielefeld and FC Augsburg have all made contact - as have Mainz.

Muto has managed just one goal from 25 appearances with Newcastle and has a deal to 2022.