Japan striker Yoshinori Muto's European destination will likely not be Chelsea but Mainz of the Bundesliga, sources with knowledge of the FC Tokyo player's decision told Kyodo News through Tuesday.
According to the sources, Tokyo and Mainz are deep into talks for the 22-year-old's services. Muto and Tokyo will further outline their plan on Thursday, after the national team's two-day training camp starting Tuesday in Chiba Prefecture.
"He has a dream and his own vision for his career," said one Tokyo official. "Hopefully, we can come to a decision that best suits him and the club."
Tokyo received an offer for Muto in March from newly crowned Premier League champion Chelsea. The fee has been reported to be around ¥700 million ($5.8 million).
Mainz — which is 12th in the Bundesliga with two games left in the season — plans to raise the money to buy Muto by selling its top scorer, Muto's international teammate Shinji Okazaki, who was linked with a move to England during the winter transfer window.
The sources say Muto stalled at the Chelsea offer because he feared he would not get enough playing time. If he chooses England, the second-year J. League star also would likely struggle to obtain a work permit.
Muto scored 13 goals for Tokyo last season, a record-tying mark by a J1 debutant.