Crystal Palace and West Ham United are reportedly keen on Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
According to the Daily Star and The Express, West Ham United are keen on Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic – but face competition from Crystal Palace.
Mitrovic, 22, joined Newcastle from Belgian side Anderlecht in the summer of 2015, and arrived with a reputation of being something of a hot-head – but did bring in an impressive goal record with him having hit 44 goals in 90 games for Anderlecht.
Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic
That bad-boy reputation was on show last season as he was sent off twice during Newcastle’s relegation campaign, but with nine goals in 34 appearances, he did show some promise at St. James’ Park.
This term, the Serbian international has largely been Newcastle’s second-choice striker behind Dwight Gayle, hitting three goals in 11 Championship appearances whilst adding two assists, and another two goals in the EFL Cup.
Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic scores against Preston
With the burly striker potentially looking for more first-team football, both The Express and Daily Star report that West Ham United and Crystal Palace are both keen on Mitrovic, but whether they could convince Newcastle – who are favourites to win the Championship title – to sell is another thing.
West Ham landed three strikers over the summer, but Simone Zaza and Jonathan Calleri have yet to score for the club, and Ashley Fletcher is one for the future. With Diafra Sakho and ex-Newcastle striker Andy Carroll enduring injury problems too, beleaguered boss Slaven Bilic has been left short of attacking options.
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic greets Crystal Palace’s manager Alan Pardew
Mitrovic could fit the bill, but West Ham will allegedly face competition for his signature, as Crystal Palace – led by former Newcastle manager Alan Pardew – are also believed to be interested in signing Mitrovic.
Christian Benteke has gone some way to repaying his club-record transfer fee, but with loanee Loic Remy injured and a lack of other goalscoring options at Pardew’s disposal, the Eagles boss could be lining up a January raid on Newcastle – and whilst Rafael Benitez may want to keep Mitrovic on Tyneside, Palace and West Ham could test his resolve with a raid for the striker next month.
Would you sell Mitrovic to West Ham or Palace?
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