Yoshinori Muto has revealed he rejected an approach from Chelsea before signing for Newcastle United this summer as he did not want to be shunted out on loan by the London club.

Muto was approached by Chelsea two years ago, when he was playing for Mainz in Germany, but elected to remain in the Bundesliga so that he would continue to play regular first team football at a club that valued his development.

The Japan international suspected Chelsea were as interested in boasting their profile in the Far East as they were in him as a young player and remains confident he made the right decision to turn them down.

Muto became Newcastle’s most expensive summer signing at £9.5m when he left Mainz in July and is determined to prove that Japanese players can cope with the physical demands of the English game.

“I was 22 when I got the offer from Chelsea,” said Muto, who could start his first game at St James’ Park against the former Premier League champions on Sunday. “At the time, I didn’t feel the manager of the club really wanted or needed me.

“I think they wanted to sign the young potential of players and then loan them out to help them progress. Instead of doing that, I wanted to stay at a club to help me progress.