Aleksandar Mitrovic has emerged as a January target for Premier League rivals Brighton according to the Daily Mirror today, with Chris Hughton’s side looking set to test our resolve this winter after sending scouts to watch the striker in Serbia’s 3-2 defeat to Austria last Friday.
The Mirror report that Benitez is losing patience with the striker – having been left frustrated by his moment of madness against West Ham – and suggest he could be sold if the right offer arrives and a replacement is lined up.
It remains to be seen if we would entertain his departure midway through the season, and I doubt we’d sell to a Premier League rival such as Brighton, however Hughton’s interest in a striker does make sense given his side have scored just 5 goals in their opening 7 games.
Mitrovic was celebrating last night as Serbia secured their place in next summer’s World Cup and his superb form for them has been a huge part of their qualification, scoring six goals in qualifying – also assisting last night’s winning goal.
After a poor year in the Championship last time out, he bagged a few goals in pre-season and his early season form looked promising, scoring against Forest in the cup and West Ham in the league, however his elbow against Manuel Lanzini handed him a three-match ban and put him back to square one.
I like the bloke and would love to see him do well at the club, but you can’t help but think Benitez doesn’t trust him in his side – and you can’t blame him after his moment of stupidity against West Ham. A game that quite possibly summed his Newcastle career up.
Let us know your thoughts on this one. Would you sell to Brighton or is Mitrovic a player you’d like to see given a chance under Benitez?
Doesn’t come down to trust he’s *****!!!
If Shola played as badly as him there would have been hell on!! He can’t run, head accurately or finish consistently but other than that he’s worth every penny of £14m !!!
Peter Taylor(Quote)