Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez is said to be keen to bring in Burnley’s Ashley Barnes.
ESPN’s reports that Newcastle United are set to make a bid for Burnley striker Ashley Barnes this summer, can only be bad news for Aleksandar Mitrovic.
Mitrovic’s future at St. James’ Park is currently uncertain, as he has struggled to make an impact this season.
The Serbian was expected to thrive in the Championship, but he failed to score with any regularity.
Mitrovic netted just four goals in 25 appearances in the second tier, and slipped down the pecking order on Tyneside as a result.
There are now suggestions that Rafael Benitez could look to cash in on Mitrovic in the coming months.
And, with Newcastle looking to sign another target-man, the signs are not good for Mitrovic.
The 22-year-old already seems to be behind Dwight Gayle in Benitez’s selection order, but he does at least offer a different type of option to the former Crystal Palace man.
Gayle prefers to play on the shoulder of the last man, but Mitrovic likes to win the physical battle with defenders.
Barnes plays very similarly to the ex-Anderlecht man, and if Newcastle do move for the Burnley forward – it could be that Mitrovic’s time at St. James’ Park does come to an end.
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