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Fulham have made it clear to Newcastle United that they want to sign Aleksandar Mitrovic permanently this summer - whether the Cottagers secure promotion or not.

The Serbia international has scored 12 goals in just 14 starts for the west London club since moving to the capital on loan in January.

Mitrovic has struck up an excellent working relationship with Fulham manager and compatriot Slavisa Jokanovic, who has stressed to the Fulham board that the on-loan striker must be the club’s No 1 target this summer - though the Cottagers reportedly still retain an interest in United forward Dwight Gayle, who has been a long-term target for the Cottagers.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Rafa Benitez is receptive to selling Mitrovic for the right price during the off-season, with the United manager keen to reinvest any money into his own transfer kitty so that he can sign a forward with proven top-flight pedigree.

Given Mitrovic’s prolific form for Fulham, Newcastle are hopeful that they can demand a fee in excess of £20million for the forward - meaning they would make at least £7m profit on the Serbian.

But, given that the Cottagers are far from the only admirers of Mitrovic - Marseille, Bordeaux, Anderlecht, Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers have all scouted the forward at various points over the past 12 months - United hope to start a potential bidding war for the striker’s signature.

That has increased Fulham’s urgency to discuss a potential move with Newcastle, with the Cottagers fearful they will be priced out of the market for Mitrovic should they fail to secure promotion from the Championship.

Whether United are minded to do a deal early is another matter, however, as Newcastle may be able to demand an even higher fee for the striker should he impress at the World Cup in Russia.

It is understood that Mitrovic is happy in west London, with the striker feeling liberated by the freer role Jokanovic has given him in the Fulham side, having previously stated that Benitez’s “tactical” approach at Newcastle does not suit his game.

Mitrovic would therefore be receptive to staying at Fulham if a deal could be struck between the two clubs - and particularly if the Cottagers do go up.

Mitrovic himself has played a key role in helping the Cottagers mount a serious automatic-promotion challenge, winning back-to-back Championship player-of-the-month awards for March and April.

The west London club sit just one point behind second-placed Cardiff City heading into the final day of the Championship campaign on Sunday, when Fulham travel to Birmingham City.

Should they fail to better Cardiff’s result at home to Reading, however, then Fulham will have to navigate their way through the play-offs if they are to play Premier League football next season.

Ahead of Fulham’s trip to St Andrew’s on Sunday, Benitez has offered a good-luck message to Mitrovic and the Cottagers - once again stressing that it is in the interest of all parties that the striker continues to excel while on loan.

“For sure we are wishing Mitro and Fulham the best of luck this weekend. He is a good lad and they are doing well,” Benitez said.

“It is a win-win situation for us. He is doing well, we are happy with that, he is getting more experience, he is scoring more goals and that is good for his confidence, so that is positive for everyone.”