West Ham will go head-to-head with London rivals Crystal Palace for Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in the January transfer window, an exclusive from Harry Pratt of The Express claims.
Mitrovic, a man closely monitored by the likes of Benfica and Porto prior to his arrival in England, has netted five times this season – averaging a return of 112 minutes per goal – but has only started six times.
Pratt states both clubs have been alerted as Mitrovic is ‘still unable to command a regular place at St James’ Park’, but Mitrovic is far from out-of-favour as some may suggest.
Championship top scorer Dwight Gayle has been Rafa Benitez’s preferred striker choice this season, but the modern-day Tinkerman – who once named different line-ups for over 100 successive games whilst at Liverpool – regularly rotates between Gayle and Mitrovic to preserve the conditioning of the pair.
Not only is Mitro a fan favourite on Tyneside, but the passionate Serb is also a boyhood Newcastle fan and he has made his feelings clear towards a potential St James’ Park exit on numerous occasions.
Just last month Mitrovic, as quoted by the Shields Gazette, said: “My message to the fans is don’t worry because I will be there for the rest of the season.
I am focusing on Newcastle and I want to score goals for them.
Slaven Bilic is keen on adding to his front line this January as his current striking options continue to misfire infront of goal, however this rumour appears to be a non-starter.
