Aleksandar Mitrovic scored 44 goals in 90 appearances for Alderlecht in the two years he was in Brussels, and he has just signed a five year contract with Newcastle that puts him on about £32K/week as a base salary, plus bonuses for a win and a draw.
His transfer fee was close to £12.5M – the fourth highest in Newcastle’s history for a young striker who turns 21 in September, and he has talked today about the Newcastle fans and his hero Alan Shearer, admitting that he likes to play the way Alan played.
Mitrovic has also said he was a Newcastle fan while growing up in Serbia, and knows all about Newcastle United’s ¨very big¨ history.
Aleksandar Mitrovic holding a Newcastle shirt
And trying to smile
Aleksandar started off by talking about the Newcastle fans:
I know the fans are very passionate. It’s a club with a very big history, the club and fans are really, really close and a big part of that. I like that, I had that in my last two clubs as well.”
“I also know about the famous players who have played for Newcastle United, like Alan Shearer who is a hero of mine. I hope I can play like him for this club. It will be an honor.”
“I’m aggressive, strong. I’m a goalscorer! I am a real number nine, the penalty box is my place.” “My position is through the middle, I’m like the strikers who have played here before – from Alan Shearer to Papiss Cisse.”
“They are big names and I hope I can make a similar impact.” “Alan Shearer is a real legend and one of my heroes. That and Drogba is how I like to play. I’m a physical sort of player. I like to fight and score goals.”
“I know how to play with pressure. Anderlecht and Partizan Belgrade are the biggest clubs in Belgium and Serbia, so I know I’m going to have pressure for sure here. I like to play with pressure, that’s what I can say.”
“I like crosses into the box, I feel comfortable and I like to be in the box.” “I’m a calm guy but on the pitch I’m different. I work hard all week for it and on the pitch I want to win.”
That’s two top players brought in by Newcastle for about £27M, the third and fourth highest transfer fees paid out in the club’s history is good, behind only world class strikers Michael Owen and Alan Shearer.
That puts Newcastle into 4th place in the Premier league spending stakes in this summer’s transfer window, but we still need at least three more top players brought in during the summer.
We hope that happens since we still need two top center-backs and one more striker.
But so far – it’s been a good start by Newcastle, who seem determined to put this year’s terrible second half of the season behind them – and get set up for much better things ahead.
That sounds (very) good to us.
Incoming Transfers – Newcastle – 2015
[table “39” not found /]Comments welcome.
133 comments so far
tequilamag
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:10 PM
Comment #41JB we were linked with over 100 players before we signed 2. In an ideal world and we got offers for them then absolutely we would need an extra CH in but I just don`t think they are that attractive to buyers. Even if we could get rid we would get peanuts. I think MA will have a limit on what he spends. For me a LB of the same standard as Janmaat is more important than another CH,
JamesToon
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:11 PM
Comment #42I personally don’t know why people want us to sign a backup right back, we’ve got one of our own JAMIE STERRY!!!! He may not be proven, but we need to start developing our own players as well, if we want to be like the “southampton model” then thats what we need to start doing!
lukes26
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:11 PM
Comment #43Colo’s on 60k a week. If he were loaned, we’d be paying him a vast amount to play elsewhere. He’s 33, but still a better defender than Lescalles and Taylor
Mcclaren will never bring in two new CBs to start the year. It’s too risky. It takes time for defenses to mesh as a unit.
JackButler
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:11 PM
Comment #44Let’s not get carried away, top 6 is way out of our reach, we have to go some to get 8th while the top six will be in a league of their own as they have been spending tens of millions in just about every single window while we, well……………….!
nut meg
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:12 PM
Comment #45We are heavily linked with Mbember so if we can match him up with Abdennour it could be a good balanced CB pairing ,one left footed the other right footed.At the minute we haven’t signed any CBs so I might be asking too much but they could just be the two to give us the foundations to build on. Pace & power at the back & goal threats at the other end, that would be the spine of the team taken care of imho & the sooner the better.
JamesToon
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:12 PM
Comment #46Abdennour – £14m
Mbemba – £7m
Shaqiri – £11.5m
Berahino – £16m
Business done.
JamesToon
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:14 PM
Comment #47this season we should be focused on trying to establish ourselves as a top 8 club, implementing the playing philosophy of high press and possession right to the grassroots, so that we can eventually start to produce players of our own, and improve current players and their sell on value
hibbit
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:15 PM
Comment #48teq one thing we all agree on jamaat is good we don’t have another 3 to match him across the back and there lies the problem
tequilamag
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:17 PM
Comment #49James Toon you are really Jamie Sterry. Own up
JackButler
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:19 PM
Comment #50tequilamag
Boro were quoted two million for Willo, not bad if it does happen. How anyone can look at our CH without horror is beyond me. haidara and Dummett cover left back well enough, while Janmmat does need covering the central two need replacing before anything else as sticking with Colo and Willomwill be one step forward and two steps back
hibbit
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:19 PM
Comment #51james toon if we dont sort the back 4 out we will be lucky to finish in the top 10
sparky55
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:19 PM
Comment #52hibbit…therein lies the biggest problem we need to overcome more than anything else
optimistic prime
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:21 PM
Comment #53JB
Funny you should say that
Hibbit
I thought that but I’m not sure, the work he had done cost more than the house and it would take a age to flog on.
I don’t think he’d get his money back, it looks more like a long term investment, like he’s staying put.
2_goal_tino
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:21 PM
Comment #54I believe Colo with a capable player by his side is still worth having. He can still read play very well but has lost a lot of the little pace he was ever blessed with. A quick and young centre-back who does the running and dogs work with Colo doing the marshalling may actually work. The guys had to spend the last 3 years playing alongside Williamson and, as such, has had to try and do the work of two players all by himself.
This is why I think one starting CB is enough coupled with a number of defenders as competition and back-up. The issue with saying one starting CB is of course that we all thought Mbiwa would be that guy but for whatever reason it just didn’t work out!!! Mbemba, Matip and Abdennour all have lesser reputations than Mbiwa when he signed and could just as easily flop.
If we sign one of the above I think we should be looking at premiership-experienced, cheap, older players. I’m talking the likes of Huth, Hangelaand, Dawson, Olsson, James Collins etc. Obviously a lot of these guys are too old now but these sort of guys who are good, reliable players but won’t command too much of a fee.
sparky55
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:21 PM
Comment #55we bave a good head coach in maclaren, we have a good coaching set up, a good midfield, and a promising forward line…the one thing we really are lacking is a good defence with Jamaat of course being the only exception
tequilamag
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:22 PM
Comment #56Hibbit, it`s one of those everyone is right discussions really. Colo Willo and Taylor need moved on and we need replacements and upgrades Just priorities as to who needs replaced first and how quickly it should/is likely to happen.
I Hope we are all happy in Sep with 2 new FBs 2 new 3 new CHs including Lascelles and the above 3 moved on. Unlikely to be that way though
Jail for Ashley
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:24 PM
Comment #57tequila,
Specialist RB cover is priority for me over a better LB.
2_goal_tino
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:26 PM
Comment #58How about this… why don’t we just sign this Italian lad called Santon? Heard he loves the toon too!!! Cover at RB and better than Haidara and Dummett at LB.
tequilamag
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:28 PM
Comment #59JB £2 mill for Willo. Not sure who reported that but the story never exactly took off. Seems high and most transfer stories are nonsense.Obviously I have no idea what the truth of that is. How much had Boro offered ?
tequilamag
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:31 PM
Comment #60Jail. I can see why people would have that as a priority.
Ideally you want your cover to be of a good standard but I want my first choice LB to first choice standard. Neither Haidara nor Dummet cut it for me as starters
lukes26
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:32 PM
Comment #61Haidara > Santon
The main priority of LB is defend, Santon is crap at that part of the game
JackButler
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:32 PM
Comment #62They enquired about him and we quoted two million by all accounts, maybe media BS but people on here saying that there is and would be no one interested in either Willo or Colo and I think both could be moved on, not for much given their age and ability but they would easily be moved on and replaced, especially if we can shell out twenty five million on a midfielder and striker when two quality CH can have a massive impact on us.
funkness
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:34 PM
Comment #63I think that it made sense for the new staff not to get rid of any players before having actually worked with them and seen them in action.
Of course we would all have loved to see Williamson, Goufrann and Obertan shipped out, but in all fairness just like getting the right ones in, as SM put it, it is equally important to get the right ones out. Just like doing a Dennis Wise when scouting players you might wanna sign doesn’t make much sense, selling them on that basis doesn’t either. Making signings early in the summer really only works if you have the same coaches as the season before. 2016 could therefor be very different to this summer, I reckon.
I do believe that the US-tour will have given the coaches an impression of whom they will want to keep and which players are surplus to requirements. I expect quite a few out goings in the coming weeks …
will die for the toon army
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:34 PM
Comment #64We have so many players of would have been stars but I dont really think think they can recap their phone.
Colo, Taylor, Toite, Cabella, De Jong, Janmatt, Anita. Dont know if Steve Black can motivate them. If he does then we have a big squad on our hands. There is also keeping them fit.
JackButler
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:34 PM
Comment #65As in the week but do we have anyone in the youth or reserves coming through at right back that could possibly make the step up and back up Janmmat?
hibbit
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:34 PM
Comment #66teq…. it was me who put the story on here they never bid just asked and like yourself thought it was to high and never went back
will die for the toon army
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:36 PM
Comment #67JamesToon
Thats a dream
Offkey
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:37 PM
Comment #68Imo Haidara is a solid premiership Lb…..no world beater…..but by no means in the same category as some others in defence…..I still think the lad can develop further as well. Back up right back needed above a lb.
tequilamag
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:39 PM
Comment #69Hibbit not sure of your source but what was to stop Boro saying don`t be silly nobody else wants him and you will get nowt in 12 months, here is a Chicken Parmo and 6 Boro Disco biscuits and be grateful for that
JackButler
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:41 PM
Comment #70Off key
I agree mate, while Haidara is no world beater but he’s decent enough (despite that stupid red card) think we have bigger issues at the back than left back
Jail for Ashley
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:46 PM
Comment #71tequila,
In an ideal world and not entirely unrealastic, I would like to see a top LB with Haidara covering and a RB in the Haidara mould covering Jaanmat. Get shot of STaylor and Collocini. A brand new CB pairing with Lascelles , Dummet and Willo as cover with Lascelles being bedded into easier games as a sub. Curtis Good and Satka to be sent on loan to championship clubs, if they can’t find one then they’re not good enough to be considered as back up for our first team.
hibbit
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:46 PM
Comment #72teq a good friend who played for years ago and now works at rockliffe i dont know the answer to that i only put on here the bit of information i had
Belfast
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:46 PM
Comment #73I think Benjamin Button aka Anderlecht Centre back is going to have problems getting a work permit.
He needs to convince them he’s actually 20 for a start.
will die for the toon army
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:53 PM
Comment #74Abdennour is the signing that will sweep us off our feet.
This guy single handedly can take us to the Champions league.
Offkey
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:53 PM
Comment #75I think this year will see the full backs given more license to push up. More overlaps and more crosses, seen some decent (and not so decent) crosses from Haidara, but certainly enough to give me hope of him supplying a few goals this season.
Now this may expose Haidara’s weaknesses or see him flourish….either way we can evaluate lb in either January (if urgent) or at the end of the season. 2 Cb’s, back up right back are what is urgent to me.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:54 PM
Comment #76Offkey,
Won’t it be nice to enjoy watching us play again.
nightfa11
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:56 PM
Comment #77reading older posts (& new ones)..
many of you would sign a 10 mio forward who is worse than perez..to play instead of perez.. seriously people.. perez is quality..the most skullful player we have and has a great work rate and knows how to score.. he’ll be as good as aguero..soon.. but many of you would bench him, cos..? i dont know why? he was cheap? explain..please.. give us 1 good reason..
will die for the toon army
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:58 PM
Comment #78With Mcclaren at helm and that little kidd Ian Cathro. We r going for big things. Mcclaren is a sucessful coach.
Shadow_Shearer
Jul 21, 2015 at 5:59 PM
Comment #79I honestly can’t believe the lack of confidence ppl in this blog have in our team. I will admit top six will be alot to ask, but pardew has done it b4. Look at these players for replacement compared to the 2012 team
Hba – wijnaldum
Cabaye – de jong
Ba – mitrovic
To add to it we had players like Guti, Perch & Rtaylor playin regular every week back in 2012. The argument over how can be finish high in the league when we were nearly relegated last season, that’s cause we had the worst manager in the league kiddin on he’s the best. Who was publicly throwing players under the bus, no player had any desire to play for him. That’s when we went crashing down.
When pardew left, we were either 9th or 10th, can’t remember which one. Thats with a half decent but boring manager, who’s only strength was his mental ability to handle pressure. Tactically was clueless & rather than have players improving, he had them pardewed. Stopped developing. But he can still get us top ten. We are not a relegation team, we are a top ten team strengthing for a top eight.
All we need is sort the central defence. It’s a mess. Last year dummet made colo look a better player, a couple of quality defenders in, colo & s.taylor will raise there game. Get rid of willo.
Up front we should be ok with Mitrovic, cisse, perez, Riviere & armstrong.
hibbit
Jul 21, 2015 at 6:00 PM
Comment #80nightfa 11 perez is going to get game time just not as much he needs not burhing out time