Following interest from Brighton ahead of a potential January move, we assess whether Newcastle’s Aleksandar Mitrovic should make the switch to the Amex.
Towering Newcastle United centre-forward Aleksandar Mitrovic arrived on Tyneside to considerable hype, having notched 36 goals in 69 games for Belgian Pro League outfit Anderlecht, but after finding himself frozen out of the side this term, Mitro’ could be heading for the exit door come January.
According to The Mirror, Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton is keeping tabs on the former Partizan Belgrade man ahead of a potential January transfer window move.
The Seagulls missed out on several transfer targets over the summer, with a deal for Romanian international Florin Andone falling through during the final hours of deadline day, and see Mitrovic as the potential solution for their attacking woes this season.
A move to the Amex could prove the perfect career move for the 23-year-old, who has featured just once this season under Rafa Benitez.
Should he make the switch to the south coast, the Serbian international would link up with the likes of creative talents such as Pascal Gross, Anthony Knockaert and Jose Izquierdo, who could potentially bring out the goalscoring returns seen during Mitro’s stint in Belgium.
The target man is notorious for his aerial ability and with the set-piece deliveries of Davy Propper, Pascal Gross and Anthony Knockaert on offer at Brighton, a move to join Chris Hughton’s side could play into his talents perfectly.
Whilst the Newcastle frontman was integral to Serbia’s group-topping World Cup qualification campaign, with PAOK striker Aleksandar Prijovic impressing by scoring the goal that ensured their status as group winners, Mitrovic needs to be playing regular first-team football this season to ensure a starting berth at Russia 2018.
Three red cards and several questions surrounding his behaviour and attitude both on and off the field have earned the Serbian a reputation as a somewhat of a ‘dirty player’ during his time at Newcastle. Should the proposed move to Brighton go ahead, it would offer Mitrovic a clean slate from which to rebuild his reputation as a footballer.
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