Newcastle Eye Two £12m Transfers This Week

Aleksandar Mitrovic and Georginio Wijnaldum are firmly in NUFC's sights.

By Chris Waugh /

Newcastle United are closing in on big-money deals for both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Georginio Wijnaldum, according to reports. Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla has claimed that Newcastle have launched a £12 million (‚16 million) move for Anderlecht forward Mitrovic and that the Magpies face a straight race with Roma for his signature - and the striker could travel to Tyneside this week. Meanwhile, various reports - including from The Chronicle - suggest Newcastle will look to tie up the signing of PSV Eindhoven midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum before they travel to the USA this weekend in a deal worth between £11 million-£14 million.
Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla took to Twitter on Wednesday night to claim that Mitrovic is ready to travel to England and seal a move to Newcastle. He said:
"The next few hours will be decisive for the future of Aleksandar Mitrovic. "We told you about an agreement in principle reached between Newcastle and Anderlecht of about ‚16 million, including bonuses, with a trip to England planned tomorrow. "Roma were assured that Mitrovic will wait until tonight (Wednesday evening) and while Roma had also issued statements full of enthusiasm, do not expect more. "If Roma email (Mitrovic's agents), the situation could change and the trip cancelled to England that is already planned."
Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have also been credited with an interest in Mitrovic, although it appears as if Newcastle could secure his signature if they do indeed give in to Anderlecht€™s demands - although the forward may take some convincing to move to a club who are not in Europe this season. Roma have also been linked to the 20-year-old and Mitrovic confirmed over the weekend that the Italian club - as well as Spurs - had made him an "offer". Mitrovic said:
"I had a good time at Anderlecht but it€™s time to go elsewhere. "I have received an offer from Roma, I still don't know if I will accept it as I will have to discuss with my agent the best solution for my career. Soon you will know my destination, apart from Roma there is also strong interest from Benfica and Porto. "There is also Tottenham - first of all it will be important for me to feel good in the country... in Italy for sure the sun always shines. "In Belgium it was fine but it's time to go elsewhere and have new experiences. Roma? A strong team, very good - Rudi Garcia (the head coach) I know well. A great coach."
New Newcastle boss Steve McClaren is looking to recruit at least two strikers this summer and Mitrovic is known to be high up the shopping list, alongside Queens Park Rangers forward Charlie Austin. Mitrovic has netted 44 goals in 90 matches for Anderlecht, and has a career total of 69 strikes from 158 games. A powerful and relatively-quick forward, Mitrovic has an eye for goal and he grabbed headlines when he scored Anderlecht€™s equaliser at the Emirates Stadium last November when the Belgian side came from three goals down to draw 3-3 against Arsenal in a Champions League group-stage match. Anderlecht paid Partizan Belgrade a club-record £4 million for the 11-cap Serbia international, who started his career at Teleoptik, back in August 2013 and he has gone on to become one of Europe€™s most sought-after forwards. In 2014-15 Mitrovic bagged 28 goals in 51 matches, including 20 in 37 Belgian Pro League appearances and three in the Champions League. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.