West Ham will go head-to-head with London rivals Crystal Palace for Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in the January transfer window, an exclusive from Harry Pratt of The Express claims.
Mitrovic, a man closely monitored by the likes of Benfica and Porto prior to his arrival in England, has netted five times this season – averaging a return of 112 minutes per goal – but has only started six times.
Pratt states both clubs have been alerted as Mitrovic is ‘still unable to command a regular place at St James’ Park’, but Mitrovic is far from out-of-favour as some may suggest.
Championship top scorer Dwight Gayle has been Rafa Benitez’s preferred striker choice this season, but the modern-day Tinkerman – who once named different line-ups for over 100 successive games whilst at Liverpool – regularly rotates between Gayle and Mitrovic to preserve the conditioning of the pair.
Not only is Mitro a fan favourite on Tyneside, but the passionate Serb is also a boyhood Newcastle fan and he has made his feelings clear towards a potential St James’ Park exit on numerous occasions.
Just last month Mitrovic, as quoted by the Shields Gazette, said: “My message to the fans is don’t worry because I will be there for the rest of the season.
I am focusing on Newcastle and I want to score goals for them.
Both Slaven Bilic and Alan Pardew are keen on adding to their front lines this January, however this rumour appears to be a non-starter – especially for the £14.5million Pratt suggests.
