Japan and Mainz striker Yoshinori Muto could be in line for a move to Manchester United, according to the Guardian newspaper's online edition on Friday.

The 23-year-old Muto, who joined Mainz from FC Tokyo this summer after turning down advances from another Premier League giant Chelsea, has bagged seven goals and two assists in 14 games since arriving in the Bundesliga. His goal tally includes a hat trick against Augsburg on Oct. 31.

Manchester United is struggling up front this season under Dutch manager Louis van Gaal, who only has Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial as recognized strikers. The Guardian claims Muto is on United's wish list alongside Southampton's Sadio Mane.

Should the move be completed, Muto, who has two goals in 17 games for the national team, would become the second Japanese player to suit up for Manchester United after Borussia Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa, who played for the Red Devils between 2012 and 2014.