Newcastle United need a replacement for Aleksandar Mitrovic but could suitors Partizan offer one in exchange?
Newcastle United may not appear to have much use for Aleksandar Mitrovic but the out-of-favour striker would be welcomed back with open arms by the club he played for at the start of his promising career.
Per The Chronicle, The Magpies are willing to listen to offers for their number 45, whose rather unhelpful knack of picking up needless suspensions appears to have lost him the trust of manager Rafa Benitez on a permanent basis.
And it is understood that Partizan Belgrade would love to bring Mitrovic back to Serbia for the first time since 2012/13. The 23-year-old netted 15 goals for Partizan that season to earn a move to Belgian giants Anderlecht.
The Chronicle, however, reports that Newcastle will not let Mitrovic go unless they can find a replacement – meaning Partizan would have to come up with a deal that would help a small Magpies squad cope with the loss of a striker, as well as convince him to head back to Serbia in a World Cup year.
Perhaps Newcastle could kill two birds with one stone by letting Mitrovic leave for his homeland on a short-term deal – while picking up Partizan’s current first-choice striker as his successor on Tyneside.
Journeyman forward Leandre Tawamba, in stark contrast to Mitrovic, can’t stop scoring this season and has 14 goals in 30 games in all competitions. A natural centre-forward, the Cameroonian has also impressed in the Europa League with three goals in five group stage games.
A hard working and a willing runner, Tawamba is deceptively skillful for his hefty frame. And, like Mitrovic, he has the ability to bully and hassle opposition backlines – albeit without the odd stamp on the ankle or elbow to the cheek bone.
And while he is obviously far from a household name, Tawamba should enter the discussion if Partizan aim to tempt Newcastle to send Mitrovic back to Belgrade.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
