The Mirror understands that Newcastle United are prepared to sell striker Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer. The fans’ favourite has found it hard to enjoy regular game time with the club, and two Turkish clubs are lining up bids.
The Serbian international forward is attracting interest from both Besiktas and Fenerbahce, who believe the 22-year-old can boost their offensive options next season. The Magpies however will only agree to sell if they can recoup most of the £14million fee that paid for him in 2015.
Mitrovic, who moved to St James’ Park from Anderlecht, has scored 15 goals for the club, six of which came last season as the club won the Sky Bet Championship league title. Whilst he is a firm favourite with the crowd, Benitez is yet to be totally convinced by the forward that he inherited. He very much served as second fiddle to Dwight Gayle last season, and only played as much as he did because of injury issues with the ex-Crystal Palace man. Now they are back in the Premier League, and now signings expected, Mitrovic may fall even further down the pecking order. Tammy Abraham of Chelsea is expected to sign on.
Mitrovic earned a big reputation on the European scene after his goalscoring exploits in Belgium with Anderlecht. This led to a series of club make moves for the international striker, before electing to plump for Newcastle. They would be relegated in his first season with the club, winning their spot back in the top flight at the first attempt. The question is who out of Besiktas and Fenerbahce will Mitrovic be playing for next season?