Mitrovic loan deals not goal of United boss

Chief Sports Writer NEWCASTLE United are unlikely to entertain any straight loan offers for Aleksandar Mitrovic in the January window.

The Magpies will listen to cash offers for the Serbia international and may also be receptive to structured loan deals that have a permanent option at the end of them.

However, while Mitrovic has not been a regular under Rafa Benitez – despite the clamour for him to start by some fans – the Spaniard knows that loaning him out without bringing in a replacement would be too risky.

The Toon boss isn’t interested in any deal that doesn’t benefit United’s own needs.

Benitez has already warned that the January window will be tricky due to a limited budget at St James’ Park.

He also knows he is only an injury or two away from a crisis in terms of attacking options with just Mitrovic, Joselu and Dwight Gayle classed as recognised strikers in the squad.

Reports from Serbia over the weekend have revealed that Partizan Belgrade are interested in taking Mitrovic back to the club he left in 2013.

However, they would have to come up with a deal that would assist Benitez in replacing the 23-year-old (pictured below).

Benitez is getting ready for a long, hard winter, and after the 3-0 loss to Watford on Saturday, he said: “We have to realise where we are, what we have and where we want to be.

“I’ve said before it is going to be a tough season and we have to keep working as hard as possible.”