Aleksandar Mitrovic was served up to Ligue 1 giants Lyon by Newcastle United, and it appears they may take up The Magpies’ offer.
It could hardly be any clearer that Aleksandar Mitrovic has no future at Newcastle United.
The Serbian started just six Championship games under Rafael Benitez last season and, though he has publically expressed a desire to remain in the North East for as long as possible, it appears the decision may be taken out of his hands.
Foot Mercato reported last week that The Magpies had offered Mitrovic to Lyon, the Ligue 1 giants are known to be in the market for a new centre-forward after losing talisman Alexandre Lacazette to Arsenal.
Lacazette scored 100 goals in 203 league games for Lyon
Present Jean Michael Aulas claimed that Lyon were interested in Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud but, with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger confident that the Frenchman will stay (The Standard), Les Dogues may be forced to take up the chance to sign another old-school number nine.
And it appears that Newcastle offering Mitrovic to Lyon has had the desired effect.
Tidy profit
The report adds that Newcastle would demand around £15 million for Mitrovic, slightly more than they paid Anderlecht for his sought-after signature two summers ago.
Mitrovic scored 13 goals in 33 league starts in Newcastle colours
Magpies supporters may understand Mitrovic’s departure, the forward having failed to fire consistently since moving to Tyneside. However, he remains in credit with supporters who admire his clear commitment to the cause.
Yet, a move to Lyon, who finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and will once again feature in the Europa League, is an excellent move on paper for a player who spent last season stuck on the bench in the English second tier.
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