Newcastle United have slapped an extra £5million on the asking price of striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to the Evening Standard.
The newspaper claim Fulham are firmly in the hunt to sign the Serbia international on a permanent deal after his impressive loan in the second half of 2017-18.
The Chronicle reported last week that victory for the Cottagers in their Championship play-off final would pave the way for Mitrovic to move to the Londoners for £15million but the Standard now state it may cost £20million to clinch his signature.
OPINION
Given that Rafael Benitez clearly doesn’t rate Mitrovic and he couldn’t get a game for Newcastle for love nor money before his January loan move, it would represent a brilliant deal for the north-east giants if they could sell him for £20million this summer. The Serbian did not start a single Premier League game in the opening half of 2017-18 as he found himself sidelined and behind Dwight Gayle and Joselu in the centre-forward pecking order. But Newcastle believe his value has risen after scoring 12 goals in 20 matches for Fulham and playing the best football of his career under Slavisa Jokanovic. It does not mean a place back under Rafa, but it does help the Magpies’ board move the goalposts in what they want from buying clubs. Indeed, they might want to even hold off under after the World Cup. Mitrovic will lead the line for Serbia and has a decent international record. Should he score a few goals in Russia, the pound signs in Mike Ashley’s eyes would be unmistakeable.
