Benitez’s response when asked if he wants to keep Aleksandar Mitrovic at Newcastle

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The Newcastle United striker has been linked with a move away from Tyneside in recent months.

Magpies boss Rafa Benitez sat down for his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s trip to Chelsea tomorrow, and responded to a question asking him if he would be happy to keep hold of Aleksandar Mitrovic, as quoted by the Chronicle.

The 23-year-old has failed to establish himself at St James’ Park, since making his £14.5 million switch from Anderlecht in the summer of 2015, scoring just 17 goals in 71 outings for the Toon.

Many pundits and fans alike have tipped Mitrovic to leave Newcastle in January, with so many strikers seemingly in front of him in the Magpies pecking order.

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When speaking to reporters though, Benitez seemed to quash rumours of an exit for the Serbian this January, insisting that he is happy with all of his current options, as quoted by the Chronicle:

“We have very good competition with strikers and I am pleased with it”

The Spaniard is likely to set up with a defensive approach to the game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, and there will likely be room for just one striker in his line-up.

Whether Mitrovic will get a chance to impress remains debatable, and with the opening of the January transfer window just around the corner, it would come as no surprise if Benitez tried to offload the 23-year-old in an effort to raise funds to bring some of his prime targets to St James’ Park.