Newcastle reveal new £20m valuation of in-form striker that could scupper summer sale

Newcastle are valuing in-form striker Aleksandar Mitrovic at £20 million – a price-tag that could scupper a potential summer move for the Serbian international.

Mitrovic secured a loan move to Fulham on the final day of the January transfer window has hit the ground running for the Championship side with five goals in his last four games, including a brace in the 3-0 victory over Sheffield United in midweek.

It has led Magpies fans to question why Rafa Benitez would allow the 23-year-old to leave when Newcastle are struggling to score the goals that will propel the club to safety and have one of the lowest conversion rates in the Premier League this season.

Question marks over his application in training, general attitude and poor discipline have irked Benitez, whilst its understood the United boss felt Mitrovic’s strengths weren’t suited to the stye of football he wants Newcastle to play.

And it seems Mitrovic will find himself up for sale again when he returns to St James’ Park after the Chronicle revealed that Newcastle have revised their asking price to £20m and are hoping his performances for Serbia at the World Cup in Russia will attract potential buyers.

It would be a significant profit on the £13m payed to Anderlecht for a forward considered a rough diamond but with irrefutable pedigree after scoring prolifically in the Juplier League and famously netting against Arsenal in the Champions League.

However, the feeling is that Newcastle are pricing Mitrovic out a move following scant interest in his services during the January transfer window – with only Brighton willing to pay around £10m for him.