Relatively short odds have been offered on the Newcastle United striker moving to Aston Villa.
Despite Jonathan Kodjia, Ross McCormack and Scott Hogan costing around £45 million combined, Villa have scored a measly 39 goals in 38 Championship games this season.
Yes, without Kodjia’s reliable goals return, their chances of a respectable, top half finish would likely be little more than a pipe dream. But McCormack’s horrific tally of just three league goals, and a subsequent loan exit to Nottingham Forest, suggests that owner Tony Xia should be a little more careful when choosing his marquee signings.
Therefore, Bet Victor giving Villa odds 12/1 in the chase to sign Newcastle United misfit Aleksandar Mitrovic will surely concern supporters. At least McCormack arrived at Villa Park on the back of a prolific season with Fulham.
Mitrovic, meanwhile, has only netted four league goals all season while Rafael Benitez has entrusted him with a grand total of eight Championship starts.
And while it can be argued that the Serbian’s lack of opportunities stems from Benitez’s preference for a striker with movement and pace rather than physicality, the 22-year-old appears to have also lost the faith of the fans after one glaring miss too many.
Steve Bruce’s comparatively direct gameplan means Villa would play more to Mitrovic’s strengths but he has done very little this season to suggest that he can be a reliable goalscorer even at Championship level.
Bleacher Report claimed last month that Newcastle would hope to recoup the £13 million they paid Anderlecht for Mitrovic in the summer of 2015, meaning Villa would be forced to spend big on another frontman.
Though the Serb could be more Rudy Gestede than John Carew.
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