There has been news recently that Newcastle want to bring 28 year-old Marseilles striker Andre-Pierre Gignac in during the upcoming January transfer window, when he will be available at a nominal fee, because his contract runs out next June.
Aleksandar Mitrovic in action in friendly against France in September
The reports are that Newcastle scouts have been watching the striker, but the French International will be 29 next month, and owner Mike Ashley usually likes to sign younger players whose value will increase once they arrive at Newcastle and hopefully start improving.
So we have our doubts about Gignac coming to Newcastle, even though he is a very good striker and has a great record in his time at Marseilles – 64 goals in 160 total appearances since joining the French club from Toulouse in the summer of 2010.
A much younger striker we have been linked with in the past month or so and one we are said to be tracking closely is Anderlecht’s 20 year-old Aleksandar Mitrovic, and he fits the profile of players Newcastle want to sign very closely.
The 10 times capped Serbian International only turned 20 in September, and is likely to improve once on Tyneside, and his value will rise.
However, Newcastle will have to pay a lot more for him than for Gignac – if only because of the age difference – almost nine years.
But that could still be the better deal for Newcastle and one that Mike Ashley would go for.
Mitrovic joined Anderlecht from Partizan in the summer of last year – and in less than one a half seasons in Belgium he has 27 goals in 59 appearances.
And while at Partizan for the two years before that, he scored 18 goals in 42 appearances and that was all before he even turned 19 years old.
The transfer fee last year that Anderlecht paid Partizan was £4M – so that could have more than doubled now – with his good performances in Belgium.
But since the lad is only 20, he could improve big time on Tyneside, and become worth a lot more in say a couple of years, if he starts scoring goals in the Premier League.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has played for the Serbian U19 (13 appearances, 5 goals) and U21 sides (8 appearances, 6 goals), and he now has 10 full caps for Serbia with one goal, after making his debut only last year.
So between the two strikers – the 6′ 3¨ Serbian would appear to be the better bargain – even though he will be more expensive than the Frenchman.
What do you think?
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53 comments so far
Canny in Canberra
Nov 19, 2014 at 11:38 PM
Comment #41Whoops
welshgeordie9
Nov 19, 2014 at 11:38 PM
Comment #42beermonkey
It will be tough but I would like us to get a win, because we have a tough away game against west ham after qpr.
optimistic prime
Nov 19, 2014 at 11:39 PM
Comment #43Beer
If we had been playing Spurs a fortnight ago I would have backed us to beat Spurs away as they’ve been terrible.
We’ve picked up a few injuries again and although I have faith in who’s left, we need body’s back soon as once the games start coming twice a week we’ll need to rest and rotate.
Looking at who’s due back around mid December and hoping no one else gets anything serious I think we have a decent chance of beating spurs, it’s away and favours Pardews tactics.
The next 3 for me are the worry for me, once we’re in Dec we should be ok.
ATM everyone wants to play and prove a point etc IMO that will be even more in Dec as most of the games are big ones, the type of game players want to play in and make a name for themselves.
Just hope we can keep the momentum and when we do lose hope we don’t revert to past teams and tactics.
welshgeordie9
Nov 19, 2014 at 11:40 PM
Comment #44If we can beat west brom away, why can’t we beat west ham away.
Canny in Canberra
Nov 19, 2014 at 11:41 PM
Comment #45Welsh,
Good on ya for taking the high ground!
Not sure how I’ll cope if we don’t get the points kinda got used to how good this winning thing feels.
Pards will no doubt throw on anybody remotely approaching fully fit and if we’re clever witth the subs we should get away with it.
optimistic prime
Nov 19, 2014 at 11:44 PM
Comment #46http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/papiss-cisse-back-playing-scoring-v-botswana-tonight-video/
Cisse scoring tonight
beermonkey
Nov 19, 2014 at 11:44 PM
Comment #47welsh
they been a but unlucky but there error prone at the back, I don’t think they there as a team
so if we turn up united and work hard like we have been I think we will score we just goto keep Austin out
even if willo does come in he can and has played well so lets hope he has the desire to keep his spot and plays well
but the team as a unit been covering the back well
all in all I am hopeful
Canny in Canberra
Nov 19, 2014 at 11:45 PM
Comment #48Bang
welshgeordie9
Nov 19, 2014 at 11:48 PM
Comment #49Abied will be a big miss this weekend, but if tiote plays it still be strong, and also put Taylor in as well through the middle.
Tiote taylor colback
Cabella Perez Sammy
With so many injuries that still a strong lineup
beermonkey
Nov 19, 2014 at 11:52 PM
Comment #50prime
spurs are struggling don’t know there best team and are making lots of errors
with players coming back we have a real chance at semi final
why is cisse away on international duty
Canny in Canberra
Nov 20, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Comment #51How come they get to play him and he’s not fit enough for us?
Well we can rule him on for Saturday then he’ll be knackered now.
Canny in Canberra
Nov 20, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Comment #52Out sorry not on.
Lynxie
Nov 20, 2014 at 11:47 AM
Comment #53Mitrovic does look a prospect, however, the Belgian league is utter pish, even Shola could score over there…….