Some very interesting claims from the Daily Mail today, who report that Alan Pardew has identified Newcastle’s Aleksandar Mitrovic as a target for West Brom – and is believed to have ‘opened discussions’ over a potential January move.
Whilst this could be a convenient story for the papers to write, this wouldn’t be the first time the ex-NUFC boss has been credited with an interest in Mitro – with the Chronicle reporting that he was keen to bring him to Crystal Palace this time last year.
The story claims Pardew is ‘eager’ to bring in a new striker this winter in a bid to improve his sides struggling form in front of goal – with them having found the net just 13 times in 18 Premier League games this season.
Whilst Rafa Benitez clearly does not rate Mitrovic, I imagine several NUFC would be quite concerned about selling the Serbian to a relegation rival.
It would be a bitter pill to swallow if he started banging in the goals, and you can just imagine Alan’s smug face if he was seen to be getting the best out of a player Benitez ‘couldn’t’!
Here’s what the Mail had to say about the potential transfer today – suggesting three strikers that have been discussed at NUFC ahead of next month’s window:
‘Scouts are also understood to have identified another possible option in Europe but discussions have taken place over Mitrovic who Newcastle are willing to sacrifice in this window.
‘The 23-year-old Serbia international has scored two goals this season but has struggled to fit into Rafa Benitez’s style of play and has figured mainly from the bench.
‘Newcastle are keen to add another goalscorer themselves with Leicester City’s Islam Slimani and Ings on their list of options too. Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun and Dimitri Oberlin at Basle have also been discussed.’
He looks almost certain to leave in January, whether that be on loan or on a permanent deal, but it’ll be debated as to whether we’d be wise to let him go to West Brom.
If true, would you sanction it?
