Mitro back to train if no deal is made
Chief NUFC Writer ALEKSANDAR Mitrovic could find himself reintegrated into Newcastle United’s pre-season training schedule IF the Magpies don’t land a striker soon.
The Serbia international remains on holiday after his World Cup efforts but has been handed a return date of July 25 by United.
Of course, Mitrovic could yet be sold by then with Fulham still keen to sign the former Anderlecht centre-forward with a £20million fee mooted.
Ideally, Mitrovic wants his future sorted before his return to training.
Mitrovic would be happy to rejoin the Cottagers but Newcastle will hold out for a fee north of £15m, Fulham already flexing their financial muscle by signing Jean Michael Seri and Maxime Le Marchand from Nice for a combined fee of £30m.
With the Cottagers now a Premier League rival of United, they will also look to drive a hard bargain.
Rafa Benitez, however, will want some assurances a replacement comes through the door with his squad size already reduced by the exit of Mikel Merino and potentially Isaac Hayden, who could soon join Brighton.
Benitez wanted to bring a striker in time for the start of pre-season training.
However, he is likely to go into the first pre-season friendly against St Partick’s tomorrow night with the strike force already at his disposal.
Dwight Gayle, Joselu and Ayoze Perez could feature in Ireland while Adam Armstrong is also on board for the club’s tour.