Crystal Palace will go head-to-head with London rivals West Ham for Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic in the January transfer window, according to an exclusive from Harry Pratt of The Express.
Mitrovic, a man closely monitored by the likes of Benfica and Porto prior to his arrival in England, has netted five times this season – averaging a return of 112 minutes per goal – but has only started six times.
Pratt states both clubs have been alerted as Mitrovic is ‘still unable to command a regular place at St James’ Park’, but Mitrovic is far from out-of-favour as some may suggest.
Former Eagle Dwight Gayle has been Rafa Benitez’s preferred striker choice this season, but the modern-day Tinkerman – who once named different line-ups for over 100 successive games whilst at Liverpool – regularly rotates between Gayle and Mitrovic to preserve the conditioning of the pair.
However, the season-ending injury to Connor Wickham added to the fitness issues of Loic Remy means Palace do look short of a striker and they could look to tempt Mitrovic.
