There are now two Turkish side Besiktas to be linked with Aleksandar Mitrovic lately, with Besiktas now said to be interested in the player and a few days ago there were reports from Turkey that Fenerbahçe wanted the 22 year-old striker on loan for the coming season.
Newcastle paid £14M for the striker from Anderlecht a couple of years ago and we have a feeling if some club offers Newcastle that much for him and we get our money back, then Rafa could sell him and bring in a striker to replace him.
That will not please a number of Newcastle fans, who simply adore the Serbian International, but Rafa will not stand on ceremony and he’s likely to show his ruthless streak a few times this summer, as he builds a team that can compete in the Premier League next season.
Aleksandar Mitrovic in training at Newcastle
The news is that Besiktas are even willing to send a delegation to Newcastle to try to do a deal, but whether they have £14M to stump up for the 27 times capped Serbian International (8 goals) is a very good question – probably not.
The Chronicle are reporting that Rafa may be willing to loan out Mitro this season, but we’re not sure what the purpose of that would be and what Rafa would learn about the striker.
If he scores goals in Turkey next season on loan what would that prove, since it’s in the English leagues – both the Premier League and the Championship – that Alexandar has failed to shine over the last couple of years.
The initial plan as reported in the local media was to keep Aleksandar for next season and see if he can get his place back in the first team – basically give him another season at the club and see how he does.
And that could be true, but if we get a decent offer for Mitro this summer, we’re pretty sure that Rafa will sell.
That’s would be on two conditions – one is that we get our money back and the second is the manager has enough time to bring in another striker this summer with the money he gets for Mitro.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
80 comments so far
ToonRich
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:02 PM
Comment #1Get him sold if they offer the right amount, and put it towards a signing that shows intent!! Iheanacho/Michy/a fit Sturridge.
I wonder if Vardy will unearth anyone worth a punt at his new V9 academy…could be interesting!!
MadisonToon
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:05 PM
Comment #2I’m a big fan of Mitro, but if he is sold and replaced with a higher quality striker, then I’m happy with it. One top-notch CF with Abraham and Gayle (then Armstrong, Perez, etc,) will sit us in good shape, especially if we keep our single-striker formation.
I’d prefer he stays but don’t mind Rafa doing some squad tinkering to get the players he wants even if it means losing a favorite or two.
MadisonToon
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:06 PM
Comment #3Would love ToonRich’s shopping list, although not sure if we’ll be able to pull any of them to Newcastle.
chicousa
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:12 PM
Comment #4Prediction: Rafa will keep Mitro.
WWSBRD
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:12 PM
Comment #5I dont see him ever being good enough to play in a Rafa team and am hoping to watch one of them for a good few years so not much point in him sticking round imo
Toonces
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:12 PM
Comment #6Runaway – back a couple threads – I hear you, I just don’t want to get caught in the cycle of despair. For now I want to believe that Ashley has turned a corner, that Benitez will be backed, Charnley won’t lose transfers by insulting other clubs with cheap opening offers, and so on. Onwards and upwards, I hope 🙂 HWTL!
hibbit
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:19 PM
Comment #7chicousa
sorry mate Rafa wont be keeping him
Mitro is just not good enough first team that matches the clubs value £15/18m and he’s gone
WWSBRD
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:29 PM
Comment #8hibbit
I reckon it’s take less than that tbh anything north of 10 and I reckon he will be away
ShirebrookToon
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:30 PM
Comment #9Here we go again!
http://talksport.com/football/newcastle-united-fc-news-pepe-reina-rejects-new-napoli-deal-amid-interest-magpies
chicousa
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:32 PM
Comment #10hibbit
We shall see. I think that Mitro is a valuable asset, someone who can provide a lift as an impact sub, who can stir things up. This past season he did much better in controlling his aggression, despite being mugged and provoked by defenses. He has shown himself to be unselfish and willing to pass to a more open teammate. He is young and still raw and I think Rafa can mold him and sees him as a project within the larger team “project”.
But then again you may prove to be right. 🙂
ToonRich
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:39 PM
Comment #11Shirebrook, I saw Pau Lopez’s name mentioned with us also today…22yrs old, was on loan with spurs last season but didnt make any appearances.
JackBall
Jun 7, 2017 at 4:56 PM
Comment #12I personally would not sell Mitro; I feel he is a valuable option and will improve. That being said, I would definitely not sell him for less than we paid. Based on the amounts being speculated for players even less proven at his position, can we really get better for the same amount. Of course, if Rafa feels the 13-15 mil can better be used at another position he may be gone, but would love to see him given a chance with a better #10 and an improved right side.
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:04 PM
Comment #13Will Ashley let Rafa buy top notch players? I suspect upper notch or medium notch but no top notch. We will on average be somewhere above middle notch however!
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:06 PM
Comment #14A squad with many above average notch players could do reasonably well in the Prem. And the Belgian midget strikers will each make a small contribution!
ToonRich
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:09 PM
Comment #15Would any of you take Januzaj for £6-8m?
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:10 PM
Comment #16Will we sell Perez? I’m thinking Rafa will let him go for the right price. Extremely inconsistent. Where is his notch? Not sure…. Is he average notch? Possibly. Would do better in Spain I think. Let’s get somebody with a nastier disposition who chases and harries. Like a pit bull or a honey badger on steroids.
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:11 PM
Comment #17That might be worth a go ToonRich. Even on a poor Sunderland team he had some moves in him. Rafa could really develop him. Raise his notch.
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:13 PM
Comment #18What are these little blue heart thingies? We’re not going with likes/dislikes now are we? I think we’re too manly for little blue heart thingies.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:14 PM
Comment #19Me
I would keep Mitro…
I think RAFA was finally getting through to him at the end of the season when Mitro came more involved as a team player.
His passing and hold up player was a lot better and he can lay the ball of when he set up Atsu against Preston with a lovely pass.
Need someone with muscle up-front in the premiership.
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:17 PM
Comment #20I don’t think Mitro is raw anymore chicousa mate. He’s more like al dente. He’s slightly cooked but with some crunchiness remaining. His international and club experience has put him further on in his development than normal for a 22 year old. That worries me a bit because he hasn’t improved that much.
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:20 PM
Comment #21I would think Januzaj would love to come to us and work with Rafa. Let’s put a cheeky bid in for him. Not sure what his wage is. He could still develop into a nearly top notch player! Just think about that lads.
kc2012
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:21 PM
Comment #22If we could get around £8-10m for Mitro he’ll be gone or should maybe even consider loaning him out to give him some extended game time or something. He doesnt really look like improving though despite his young age. Abit of pace and he’d be decent but thats not happening. I just checked and most bookies have us quite big favourites and odds on to sign Tom Cairney so maybe something to keep an eye on but who knows. Really looked a class act against us last season.
AncientC
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:29 PM
Comment #23I would prefer to see Mitrovic kept myself, but when you look around the squad, there really are not many other options to raise funds for transfers. That is even if Benitez will get the full transfer funds, and not the first installment. If sales mean installments, it is barely worth Benitez selling – if he only sees himself staying another 2 years.
nightfa11
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:37 PM
Comment #24I can’t see us keeping mitro if we sign Tammy.. We all agree we need a new striker.. And having Gayle, new St, Tammy, mitro, Perez.. Is too much.. Especially if we play with only one up front.. Mitro is off..
Personally I’d keep him instead of signing Tammy, but..i do trust rafa..
nightfa11
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:41 PM
Comment #25It’s probably an economical decision.. Selling 15 mio player who’d be a 3rd choice.. With 15 mio we can sign a top defender or a good midfielder/winger
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:43 PM
Comment #26Apparently Januzaj’s agents are his relatives. His granny is the real kingpin. A shrewd woman. She watches his every move. She placed a curse on David Moyes last season and look what happened! We’ll have to be very careful with her.
YoungMag :P
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:44 PM
Comment #27G2
You’ve got to be kidding me. Too manly for blue hearts? Never. I think they’re awesome!! ^.^
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:46 PM
Comment #28Mitro is never going to have pace. That’s a problem for Rafa. Once he gets into the box he’s decent but he just doesn’t move quickly enough. It was a shrewd move by Anderlecht to get that much dosh out of us for him. I wish he’d had a better season for us to raise his valuation.
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:47 PM
Comment #29At least they’re not pink hearts youngmag:p. But still….
YoungMag :P
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:48 PM
Comment #30:O
Pink would actually have been better. Although, purple would be the best.
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:49 PM
Comment #31I can’t see us getting Tammy (Doodles) now. He wants to stay down south. What a sissy. Let’s bring in some more hardy stock.
GeordieTwo
Jun 7, 2017 at 5:55 PM
Comment #32It’s not like England is huge or anything Doodles. You can be back down south in a few hours. Don’t be a sissy. Come to the northeast mate.
ShirebrookToon
Jun 7, 2017 at 6:11 PM
Comment #33G2
Don’t mention the name sissy. That ship sailed a long time ago and was great for Mikey, he’s filled his first Sports Direct money tin!
welshgeordie9
Jun 7, 2017 at 6:55 PM
Comment #34Come on Ed, you haven’t mentioned Charlie Austin for a long time.
welshgeordie9
Jun 7, 2017 at 6:57 PM
Comment #35The way we are trying to get players in there’s more chance of us signing Stone Cold Steve Austin than Charlie boy.
YoungMag :P
Jun 7, 2017 at 7:20 PM
Comment #36Welsh
Well, it was only a while ago we were linked with Vince Mcmahon being a potential takeover candidate.
So you never know in football, Stone cold Steve Austin would be a solid defender for our club. xD
And don’t get me started on the eye candy!!
U.S Magpie
Jun 7, 2017 at 7:37 PM
Comment #37Let him go there we could do some cash plus player business with them, there defense is solid, maybe we could get a player plus cash deal. Hey for the hell of it, lets get Demba Ba back from them for a season loan.
YoungMag :P
Jun 7, 2017 at 7:40 PM
Comment #38US Magpie
Is Ba still the same player since his leg break?
jazzyp
Jun 7, 2017 at 7:51 PM
Comment #39Sell the lad and lets move on.His first season was a disappointment , And the less said about last season in the Championship regarding Mitro the better. If we can get back what we paid to reinvest in a proper Forward who can contribute more on the pitch than just passion.
Personally if we could get 25 mill for both Mitro and Perez Then I would deal
U.S Magpie
Jun 7, 2017 at 7:56 PM
Comment #40No Idea YMAG, but in two appearances last year he scored. Goal a game, I personally would look at Beck for our defense for a swop deal.