Transfer Rumours

Newcastle only club willing to meet Aleksandar Mitrovic asking price – Reports

Last November, Aleksandar Mitrovic was first linked with a move to Newcastle United and that has continued throughout the final stages of last season and into the summer.

The 20 year Serbian international has scored 36 goals in 65 league games over the course of his two seasons in Belgium and now looks guaranteed to leave this summer.

At the weekend the player himself was quoted saying he was definitely going to be on the move and that there was an offer in from AS Roma, though he claims he hasn’t made his mind up as there is plenty interest from elsewhere.

Mitrovic naming Benfica, Porto and Tottenham as just three of the clubs who are also interested in buying him.

Aleksandar Mitrovic:

“I had a good time at Anderlecht but it’s time to go elsewhere.” “I have received an offer from Roma, I still don’t know if I will accept it as I will have to discuss with my agent the best solution for my career. Soon you will know my destination, apart from Roma there is also strong interest from Benfica and Porto. “There is also Tottenham – first of all it will be important for me to feel good in the country..in Italy for sure the sun always shines. In Belgium it was fine but it’s time to go elsewhere and have new experiences. Roma? A strong team, very good –Rudi Garcia I know well, a great coach.”

However, over in Belgium this morning there are media claims that Roma’s offer is well short of the 18m euros (approx £13m) that Anderlecht want for their biggest asset.

The reports going on to say that only one club has so far matched that asking price and that club is claimed to be Newcastle United, even though NUFC were one club the striker did not mention at the weekend when talking of possible destinations.

Obviously this time of the year is rife with clubs and agents trying to drive up prices with claimed interest/bids from elsewhere and we can safely assume that if Mitrovic did rock up at Newcastle it wouldn’t be for the sunshine.

However, the bottom line is that money talks and indeed if, which is a big if, Mike Ashley is prepared to pay a higher transfer fee and wages then Newcastle could at last land a striker with what looks a credible pedigree.

However, we could say that about a number of supposed players Newcastle are said to be interested in, but what is now crystal clear with the fees and wages other Premier League clubs are paying for players this summer – doing things on the cheap is surely doomed to failure and Ashley has to change his way of operating.