News today that Napoli have joined the race to sign 22 year-old Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and it looks like they are hoping to strike a deal at €10M (£8.7M) for the Serbian striker.
But they have no chance of getting him for that fee and Newcastle are at least wanting the £14M back they paid to Anderlecht two years ago for him – but it does seem that Rafa is willing to sell the striker this summer.
If we do sell Mitro, then Rafa will bring in another striker to replace him and it looks like we have now won the race to sign exciting 19 year-old Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham on loan for the season.
Rafa Benitez with Aleksandar Mitrovic
Newcastle have been trying to negotiate a deal with Napoli officials for goalkeeper Pepe Reina and maybe we can do a deal with Mitro going in one direction and Pepe the other, with Newcastle also getting £10M or £11M from Napoli?
Irish striker Daryl Murphy will also be leaving Newcastle this summer, so top scorer Dwight Gayle seems the only current striker assured of a role next season in the Premier League for Newcastle.
With Turkish giants Besiktas and Fenerbahce both interested in signing Mitrovic, Newcastle will hope there is a bidding war for their Serbian striker, but they will certainly not sell unless they recover the fee they paid Anderlecht for him two years ago.
The news is that the Napoli head coach Maurizio Sarri rates the Serbian International striker, but it all depends on what fee Napoli are willing to pay for Mitrovic.
It seems the only way Mitro will remain on Tyneside in the coming season is if Newcastle cannot get their money back on him.
Aleksandar could even go out on loan next season with an option to buy to get his wages off the Newcastle wage bill.
This will be a blow to the young striker, who had hoped to be a huge success at the club of his idol while he was growing up in Belgrade – the great Alan Shearer.
But in the two years he’s been at Newcastle, Mitro has been disappointing with just 15 goals scored in 65 appearances.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
7 comments so far
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jun 8, 2017 at 9:09 AM
Comment #1Yeah tad worried if we get rid of Mitro and Murphy without out getting in replacements.
Should get in replacements – better goal scorers before we sell – as we could leave ourselves short with only Gayle.
JP...from The Rock
Jun 8, 2017 at 9:18 AM
Comment #2Mitro has been a huge disappointment as you say Ed. We all had high hope for him. And yeah he is still young but honestly if he couldn’t impress in the Championship what hope does he have in the Premiership. He is also too slow and not a natural goalscorer, misses way too many. I would happily sell if we get our money back or close to that. Much better out there and if Rafa doesn’t rate him, he just backs my opinion him. Love his passion but sadly that alone won’t get you goals. Can he play as a defender? Lol
Rotonda heights
Jun 8, 2017 at 9:30 AM
Comment #3have to agree with JP
Always a red card waiting to happen
has zero pace
and misses absolute sitters.
mobility, pace, skill and knowing where the net is are hopeflly what abraham will bring
AncientC
Jun 8, 2017 at 9:49 AM
Comment #4No disrespect to the sensitive nature of Tiote’s tragic and far too early passing, but I agree with Toontaff, retiring his shirt is over compensating. Tiote, in his very own words wanted to leave the club, which then turned into a very unfortunate situation. A historic player in his own right, but the words “club legend” get thrown around far too easily.
SharpEnough23
Jun 8, 2017 at 10:47 AM
Comment #5If we sell him i think we’ll regret it a few years down the line.
I’d give him at least one more season in the premiership & the chances are we’d still get a good price for him as even now with how poor he’s been for us majority of the year he’s still first choice striker for Serbia.
frankie
Jun 8, 2017 at 11:57 AM
Comment #6Slow, can’t hold ball up or beat his man aerialy often enough. Rafa has obviously made his mind up and that’s great for NUFC.
mindshaft
Jun 8, 2017 at 1:23 PM
Comment #7Like Mitro as a person and the fact that he plays with passion, unfortunately thats not enough to warrant a place in the squad. Mitros goals to game ratio is very poor and it’s not like he offers much else
Sad it didn’t work out but he was well paid enough for that disappointment