Would a swap deal – Aleksandar Mitrovic for Christian Benteke – interest Newcastle United?
According to The Chronicle, Crystal Palace are interested in Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The Serbia hitman looks unlikely to have a long-term future at Newcastle while Rafael Benitez is in charge and spent the second half of last season on loan with Fulham, helping them win Premier League promotion in the process.
His future is likely to be the subject of intrigue over the summer months, but if the Magpies sell him to Palace should Benitez ask about Christian Benteke in return?
Newcastle fans might baulk at the suggestion, but Benteke, who bagged 19 Premier League goals during the 2012-13 campaign for Aston Villa, has proven that he can be a devastating force in England’s top flight and although his record has been markedly less impressive in recent years, could Benitez get him back to his best?
The Spaniard is well known to be a fantastic man-manager and it wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility that Benteke – a £27 million signing by Palace in 2016 – would drastically improve under such guidance.
The St James’s Park club need a big upgrade on Joselu and Dwight Gayle, and Benteke, as far as talent goes, is a significant upgrade and swapping him for Mitrovic shouldn’t be dismissed.
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