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Monday, 12th August, 2013

Anderlecht have beaten Arsenal to the signing of Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws, just hours after reports emerged that their bid had been withdrawn.

Anderlecht were hoping to lure Partizan Belgrade striker Mitrovic to Belgium with a €5m offer, but yesterday it was understood that the league champions had given up on the chase.



An increase in the asking price was reportedly the factor for Anderlecht's withdrawal, but today the deal seems to have reached its logical conclusion at the initial offering.

According to reports, there had always been a verbal agreement between Partizan and Anderlecht, and all that remains now is for both clubs to confirm the same.

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The deal is understood to have been struck late last night after Anderlecht's withdrawal had forced Partizan president Dragan Djuric to back down from his demands.

The reversal saw Djuric take a much more personal interest in the negotiations and it means Mitrovic will leave the club he has served since 2005.

Mitrovic's spell with Partizan saw him turn out 37 times including in Champions League qualification this season.

The Serbia international had been heavily linked with Arsenal earlier in the summer, with speculation suggesting that an agreement was already in place for the move to London.

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