Following news that Crystal Palace have registered their interest in Aleksandar Mitrovic, it’s been suggested on social media that Newcastle should explore a potential swap deal that would see Christian Benteke sign at St James’ Park.
Now, this one is bound to split opinion based on recent form, but it’s a very intriguing one.
Benteke has just endured his worst season to date – scoring just 3 in the league all season – so I can see why fans would be very wary, however this is almost certainly a deal 90% of NUFC fans would’ve bitten your hand off to complete just a year ago.
During the 2016/17 season, Mitrovic was desperately struggling for goals in the Championship, while Benteke bagged 17 times for Palace.
A lot has changed since then, with Mitrovic on fire, scoring 12 in half a season for Fulham, whilst the Belgian has looked woefully short of confidence in front of goal, but I maintain that his is a deal we should seriously consider (providing Palace do firm up their interest).
#CPFC have registered their interest in Mitrovic by all accounts..
Out of interest – Could a swap-deal for Benteke be worth looking at? He's been out of sorts recently, but if Rafa could help him rekindle his Villa form we'd be onto a winner surely?! #nufc pic.twitter.com/oyg1qOmrR7
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) June 4, 2018
Just a year ago (or during his outstanding spell at Villa), Benteke was the sort of striker we were craving at Newcastle. Powerful, emphatic and a real handful for any Premier League centre-back – everything Mitrovic promised to be but wasn’t (for us anyway.)
Yes he’s had a bad season last year (and that is a concern), but with 70 goals and 20 assists in 180 Premier League appearances, it’s fair to say he’s about as proven as we could expect to get this summer?
It’s all very hypothetical at this stage, but if Palace did want Mitrovic, I for one would be more than happy to do a swap-deal of sorts to bring the Belgian to Newcastle.
Benitez has proven he’s able to get the best out of under confident players so far at NUFC (Diame, Kenedy, Dummett, Shelvey, Clark), so I’d back him to get Benteke back to something near his best.
Would you sell Aleksandar Mitrovic to #CPFC if we got Christian Benteke in return? ??⚫️⚪️⚫️ #nufc
— Black&WhiteBarmy (@BlackWhiteBarmy) June 4, 2018
Worth the risk for me. Would you consider this?
Honestly he must have been the worst striker in the prem last season, he was shocking. Maybe £15-20m + Benteke but anything other than that it wouldn’t be worth it, rather just keep Mitro. On his Day he’s unplayable but he hasn’t had one of his Days for about a Year
Toontoon(Quote)
I obviously haven’t been at the match when he has his day…..Good Championship player, but too slow, poor touch and temperament make him bloody awful in the Premier League.
I do however agree with you on Benteke 😉
BillytheFish(Quote)
Another hopefully non starter . Had one good season with villa.
Magpie 48(Quote)
What Rafa needs to do is get the best from Mitrovic then we’ll have a class striker at the Toon !!!
Money saved to bring in two more strikers.
We need a proper pair of finishers a worthy no: 9 and 10 !!!
Marky(Quote)
Utter laugh out loud speclitave attention seeking nonesense. Some nobody writing this on the awful transfer tavern, what people don’t know they make up he’s absolutely awful and no better than Mitrovic more chance if pigs flying and hell freezing over than this.
Texas(Quote)
If this happens I’ll support the Mackems for the rest of my life. 😳
Ed(Quote)