Japan striker Yoshinori Muto will sign for German club Mainz after opting against joining Premier League champions Chelsea because of concerns over a lack of playing opportunities, Kyodo News reported yesterday.
The 22-year-old was also wary about qualifying for a work permit to play in England, Kyodo quoted a FC Tokyo official as saying.
Muto scored 13 goals for Tokyo last season and only graduated from Keio University in March after completing an economics degree.
Mainz are currently 12th in the Bundesliga and have enjoyed success with Japanese strikers. Shinji Okazaki is their top scorer this term.
Van Praag receives ITUC backing
Michael van Praag, the Dutch FA president who is one of three candidates challenging Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, has been given the backing of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
The ITUC says Van Praag represents the best hope for migrant workers who are engaged on building projects for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It comes as a meeting between Van Praag and the other two candidates, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan and former Portugal international Luis Figo, ended without agreement that one of the trio would go forward alone to the May 29 election to take on Blatter.
Everton’s Baines to see ankle specialist
Everton defender Leighton Baines is to see a specialist to determine the extent of an ankle injury.
The left-back was forced off in the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Sunderland and is a doubt for this weekend’s trip to West Ham.
“We’re going to find out a bit more in the next two days,” manager Roberto Martinez said.
“It was really, really painful in an area that has been a bit of a problem for Leighton.
“We’ll get more clarity over the next 48 hours and clearly we’ll address it once we get that information from the specialist.”
Cooper speechless after thriller
Swindon boss Mark Cooper was lost for words after his side reached the League One play-off final after drawing 5-5 with Sheffield United in the highest scoring play-off in history.
Ben Gladwin and Michael Smith both grabbed doubles and substitute Jonathan Obika netted what turned out to be the crucial goal as they advanced 7-6 on aggregate.
“I really cannot put into words what I have just seen,” he said. “It was a freak, I’m sure it will be talked about for decades.
“It was like two heavyweight boxers trying to knock each other out. We kept scoring, they kept scoring. If we kept playing it could have been 10-10.”
No red meat on Aguero’s menu
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has revealed that cutting out red meat and pasta has been the key to his superb form this season.
The prolific Argentinian took his goal tally for the season to 31 from 40 appearances with a hat-trick in Sunday’s 6-0 Premier League thrashing of QPR.
He puts that down to a complete overhaul of his training regime.
Aguero said: “I had to change a lot of things, starting with my food. I needed a healthier way of life.
“I went to a doctor in Italy and he checked everything we did, and I had to change quite a bit – no more pasta, no more sugar and no meat, which I used to eat quite a bit because Argentinian meat is very good.”
Grealish rejects Ireland’s call-up
Aston Villa rising star Jack Grealish has rejected a first senior Republic of Ireland call-up for next month’s games against England and Scotland.
The 19-year-old was widely tipped to be included in the squad that Ireland manager Martin O’Neill named yesterday afternoon, but his name was conspicuous by its absence in the 33-strong list when it was eventually made public.
The Birmingham-born midfielder can also play for England but has already represented Republic of Ireland at U-21 level.
O’Neill said: “I spoke to both Jack and his father, and I think Jack just didn’t want to make his mind up at this stage. He wanted to complete the season at Aston Villa and he wants to make his decision at some time in the future.”
Sevilla deal will be done – Aspas
Sevilla’s on-loan Liverpool forward Iago Aspas has confirmed his move back to Spain will be made permanent this summer.
After one disappointing campaign at Anfield, playing a back-up role behind Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge and scoring just one goal, the player was sent out on loan.
Aspas has scored twice in 15 league matches this season but claims Sevilla will go through with the transfer.
“I came here on a loan deal with an obligatory option to buy,” the former Celta Vigo player said.
“I am a Sevilla player for next season. I will sit down and talk to the club in the coming days, or when the season ends, but it is an open secret that everyone knew.”