Sky Sports have confirmed that Newcastle United have agreed a loan deal allowing Aleksandar Mitrovic to join Anderlecht this morning, with Newcastle now looking to tie up the loan signing of Leicester Islam Slimani as his replacement.
Rafa Benitez has ‘softened’ his stance on Aleksandar Mitrovic’s exit according to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, with it being confirmed that the Serbian is now set to return to his former club until the end of the season.
Mitrovic is in dire need of game time ahead of this summer’s World Cup, with Sky stating that he’s turned down offers from Bordeaux, Hamburg and Brighton in order to secure a move back to Belgium:
We understand Newcastle have agreed a loan deal this morning with Anderlecht for striker Aleksandar Mitrovic. One source has told us NUFC are attempting to replace him with Islam Slimani.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) January 31, 2018
Understand Rafa Benítez has softened his stance on Aleksandar Mitrovic and he could leave today. Bordeaux interested. Could that pave the way for Slimani or Jorgensen to join NUFC?
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) January 31, 2018
Now, the key in all of this is how it leaves us in our search for a new striker. Remember, Rafa was adamant that Mitrovic would ONLY be allowed to leave IF a replacement arrived.
With Islam Slimani heavily linked with a loan move to NUFC today, it makes us wonder if that deal is edging closer. Why would NUFC have sanctioned a loan move for Mitrovic otherwise?
Keep your eyes peeled folks – I’m expecting news on the striker front imminently!
Good luck Mitro. I hope you show Rafa what he was missing in you
Danny(Quote)
We are losing a man who should have been legendary ,But will be known as the man who upset RAFA ,in Rafa we ,not in my lifetime too negative
Doug Hall(Quote)