‘We will see’ – Newcastle 22-year-old confirms outside interest
By Danny Wright
Aleksandar Mitrovic has confirmed that he knows about interest from outside of Newcastle and that he “will see” about what happens regarding his future.
The Northern Echo has reported that Napoli are set attempt an £8.7million bid for the 22-year-old while Turkish giants Besiktas and Fenerbache are also eager to sign him.
It now appears that Mitrovic is well aware of being attracting attention from other teams, and has hinted that his future at St. James’ Park is not set in stone.
“I heard something about other clubs,” said the striker, as quoted by the Mirror.
“We will see. If some good offers for me – which are also good for the club – come in for me over the summer then we will speak about it.
“If it doesn’t happen then I’m still a Newcastle United player, I have three years on my contract.
“So we have to speak to the club, to the manager and we will see.”
Mitrovic moved to Tyneside in a £14.5million deal from Anderlecht in 2015, but has failed to reach anywhere near the expectations that were thought of him ahead of the switch.
The 27-times Serbia international has scored just 15 goals in 65 appearances for Newcastle, meaning that he has cost them just under £1million for every time he has found the net.
His form hit a new low this season, despite the Magpies winning the Championship title, as he struck just four league goals in 25 appearances.
Mitrovic was called upon to stand in for the injured Dwight Gayle and Daryl Muprhy at times in Rafa Benitez’s squad, but has not found the net since scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win at Wolves in mid-February.
Football Insider Verdict
After the form that Mitrovic has shown over the last year, it could be very hard for Newcastle to receive back all the money they splashed out on him. The striker seemed like the sort of player that could easily adapt to English football as he’s big, strong and aggressive. However it has turned out to be quite the opposite and he has been completely impotent in front of goal. His goal scoring record is very poor but a move to Turkey or Italy could revive what seems to be a stalling career. Mitrovic’s displays for the Serbian national team have been very good lately, showing that in the right environment he can find the net on a consistent basis.
In other Newcastle news, the Magpies are battling Monaco for this teenage attacker.
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