---
title: "Mitrovic linked with January Premier League switch"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2016/12/04/mitrovic-linked-with-january-premier-league-switch/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Thomas Bore"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2016-12-04T11:44:12Z"
modified: "2016-12-04T11:44:12Z"
---

# Mitrovic linked with January Premier League switch

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](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/739512/Newcastle-Exclusive-West-Ham-Crystal-Palace-battle-sign-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-News-Gossip) 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](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/739512/Newcastle-Exclusive-West-Ham-Crystal-Palace-battle-sign-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-News-Gossip) 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.

![Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnewcastle.com/readnewcastle/sites/20/2016/12/617977014-1.jpg)

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](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/aleksandar-mitrovic-rules-out-newcastle-united-exit-1-8241446), 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](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/739512/Newcastle-Exclusive-West-Ham-Crystal-Palace-battle-sign-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-News-Gossip).