Newcastle should demand Stefan Johansen as makeweight for potential Fulham Mitrovic deal

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Fulham’s Norwegian star Stefan Johansen has been enjoying his football at Craven Cottage and has been one of the keys behind the team’s recent success.

Fulham’s Stefan Johansen had a hand in yet another Fulham goal on the weekend as he assisted Ryan Sessegnon who sent the West London side 2-0 up against Derby County.

The goal proved vital with Derby netting one of their own through Tom Huddlestone in the second half, ensuring all three points were taken back to Craven Cottage.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s men look set to seal a play-off place and are currently sitting in fourth, as they look to restore their club’s Premier League status for the first time since 2014.

Should Fulham fail to win promotion, however, Johansen could serve as quite the addition to a top flight team, and given the Norwegian’s form, he is surely on the radar of a number of clubs.

The former Celtic man enjoyed three massively successful seasons in Glasgow, winning three consecutive league titles, before earning a move down south to the Championship. With his eyes surely on a shot at the Premier League, Johansen himself may be keen on a move should he fail to help his side get through the play-offs.

With Aleksandar Mitrovic currently on loan at Fulham from Newcastle, the Magpies should definitely look to use Johansen as a makeweight for any possible deal that would see the Serbian move permanently to Craven Cottage.

Fulham are reportedly keen on landing Mitrovic on a full-time deal who has a strong record of one in two for the London club so far.

Johansen, who has netted six goals of his own, has contributed a further four assists, and is the club’s third top scorer this term. There is no doubt that Fulham will be looking to retain him, regardless of whether they win promotion, which is why Newcastle must use the power of Mitrovic in their favour.

The Norwegian is the exact sort of creative link that Newcastle are currently lacking, with his ability to create opportunities for the forwards whilst also serving as a handful for defenders himself.

At 27-years-old, Johansen should be just hitting his peak years, and with an impressive 84% pass completion rate in the Championship this season, he could make a fine addition to Rafa Benitez’s squad come September.