Newcastle United are set to steal a march on both Arsenal and Liverpool in the race to sign highly-rated Serbian youngster Aleksandar Mitrovic.
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According to reports in Belgium [via Metro Sport] Magpies new boss Steve McClaren is keen to add more firepower to his squad ahead of the new season and has identified the Anderlecht striker as the solution for their problems in attack.
The Toon Army are reportedly in advanced talks with the Belgian outfit and are set to table a £12.9 million bid for the 20-year-old, who has scored 27 goals in 53 league appearances for Anderlecht.
United’s bid will surely alert the Gunners and Reds as both clubs have been linked with a move for Mitrovic in the past [via Express Sport] and must act fast in order to prevent him signing for the St James’ Park outfit this summer.
The two Premier League heavyweights have each been linked with a host of strikers during the transfer window. A deal for Mitrovic would not only represent a decent long-term option for either club, but would also be cheaper than what several clubs in Europe are demanding for their centre-forwards.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has already added six new players to his squad, including Danny Ings, but it appears the Northern Irishman is still in the market for at least one more striker.
His number one target seems to be Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke [via talkSPORT], although it remains to be seen whether the Merseyside outfit are willing to trigger the player’s £32.5 million release clause. The Mail Sport have doubted that the Reds would take the plunge on a player who has not yet wholly convinced.
Meanwhile the Gunners have been tipped to strengthen in attack and reports in the media this week have suggested that a world-class striker could be making a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema [via Metro Sport] and Argentine hitman Gonzalo Higuain [via Standard Sport] are thought to be on manager Arsene Wenger’s wishlist and either player would be a welcome addition to a club that have eyes on winning the league title this season.