West Ham United have been linked with a move for the Newcastle United striker in January.
Reports at the weekend had Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic down as a surprise target for West Ham United (Daily Star).
The Hammers strived to improve their forward line in the summer, but ended up arguably no better off with Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri both struggling to make a positive impression.
Manager Slaven Bilic is expected to try and rectify the club’s poor striking recruitment this winter, although he is likely to find that Newcastle are reluctant sellers.
The Magpies are going well this season, with Mitrovic, who is under contract until 2020, scoring five goals in 13 outings so far.
According to the Chronicle, however, there is one condition under which Newcastle would part with the Serbian – that is: if they can secure a ‘high profile’ replacement.
One West Ham striker would certainly fit the bill, and if recent reports are to be believed (Telegraph), he might well be available. It has been claimed that the Hammers will listen to offers for Andy Carroll in January, and a swap deal with Newcastle could be a feasible option.
Carroll is certainly high profile, having played nine times for England and cost more than £50 million pounds in combined transfer fees – of which £35 million went in the direction of St. James’ Park.
Only Liverpool could tempt the Geordie native away from his boyhood club and given recent well-documented off-field events, a return home is likely to appeal – regardless of Newcastle’s Championship status.
Rafa Benitez’s side already have one foot back in the Premier League, having opened up a six point lead on third. And the signing of Carroll, who scored 17 goals en route to the Magpies’ their last second tier title, could help them repeat the trick.
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