Newcastle United are the "only club willing" to meet Anderlecht's asking price for Aleksandar Mitrovic despite a host of European sides chasing his signature, according to reports. Sp. Anderlecht News claim that the Belgian club want £12.7 million (18 million) for Mitrovic and that the Magpies are "willing" to stump up the cash for the striker who netted 28 goals last season. Benfica, Porto, Roma, Swansea City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have all 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. https://twitter.com/Sporting_AND/status/617940964234149888 Roma are the latest club linked to the 20-year-old, who 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 its 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 42 goals in 88 matches for Anderlecht, and has a career total of 67 strikes from 156 games. A powerful and relatively-quick forward, Mitrovic has an eye for goal and he grabbed headlines when he scored Anderlechts 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 Europes most sought-after forwards. In 2014-15 Mitrovic bagged 26 goals in 49 matches, including 18 in 35 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.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
