Yoshinori Muto is returning to Newcastle United.

The Evening Chronicle says Newcastle are yet to find any takers for expensive back-up striker Muto.

It means that the £9.6million signing from summer 2018 has left the Magpies with another big decision with Steve Bruce believing the striker wasn't good enough for a squad place last season.

Bruce inherited a squad that not only contained Muto but also big earners such as Henri Saivet, Achraf Lazaar and Christian Atsu but around £6million a season has been cleared off the wage bill this summer.

The Japan international could arguably nudge up a place to fourth-choice striker if Andy Carroll does not take up the offer of a one-year deal.

But any hopes of recouping a fee and striking Muto off the wage bill were dealt a blow when Spanish club Eibar - who loaned him last term - were relegated from La Liga.