According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle United will not sell Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer unless they receive an offer of £14m for the centre-forward.
What’s the story?
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is busy preparing for the 2017-18 campaign, and as well as concentrating on bringing in new players, the Spaniard must decide on the futures of a number of out-of-favour individuals.
One of those in question is 22-year-old striker Mitrovic, who joined Newcastle from Anderlecht in the summer of 2015, and has managed 15 goals in 65 appearances for the Magpies.
The Serbian international actually scored nine times during the 2015-16 Premier League season, but he only managed four Championship goals last term, and it is understood that Benitez is prepared to sell the striker this summer.
That said, according to Chronicle Live, Newcastle are not prepared to accept a loss on Mitrovic, and want £14m in order to sanction the sale of the hot-headed forward.
Why is Mitrovic surplus to requirements?
As mentioned, Mitrovic actually scored nine Premier League goals in his first season with Newcastle, and it is understood that the Magpies rejected a host of interest to keep the striker last summer.
Mitrovic struggled to break into Benitez’s first XI last season, however, and with Dwight Gayle expected to remain at the club, the future of the Serbian has been thrown into doubt.
It has also been reported that Newcastle are close to securing the loan signing of Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham, which would put Mitrovic even further down the pecking order.
The 22-year-old is a popular figure with the Newcastle supporters, but it has been claimed that Benitez is worried about his temperament leading into the 2017-18 campaign.
A number of Turkish clubs are believed to be considering moves for Mitrovic, although it does seem unlikely that interested clubs will come up with £14m for a player that is unwanted.