Three Replacements For Aleksandar Mitrovic Who Newcastle United Can Target
According to a report from the Shields Gazette, French club Olympique Lyon are set to make a move for Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.
The club lost star striker Alexandre Lacazette to Arsenal earlier this summer and are eyeing Mitrovic as one of the possible replacements for the French international. The 22-year old joined Newcastle United in the summer of 2015, from Belgian outfit RSC Anderlecht, but has failed to establish himself as a key member of the squad at the St. James’ Park. Last season, the Serbian international made just 29 appearances in all competitions, scoring 6 goals and registering 6 assists.
Mitrovic did score in the Magpies 1-1 draw against Preston North End in the pre-season friendly on Saturday, but manager Rafael Benitez is open to the idea of offloading the mercurial striker from his squad in the summer. Having played 65 times for the Tyneside outfit in two seasons in which Mitrovic has scored 15 goals, he may be shown the exit doors in the summer. If that happens, here are three replacements that Newcastle should look to sign in the place of the giant Serb.
Lucas Alario (River Plate)
The 24-year old Argentine has been linked with various European clubs in the past, but there has been no concrete interest in signing him up till date. Newcastle should definitely take a look at him.
Alario has been a consistent source of goals for River Plate for the past couple of years, since joining the club back in 2015 and has been earmarked as one of the brightest talents in Argentina. The centre-forward scored 13 goals and set up 5 more in 29 games in all competitions in the 2016/17 campaign. A very good finisher, Alario may not be the most physically imposing striker, but more than makes up for it with his strength and temperament. He has the ability to become a more than decent signing for Newcastle if signed.
Benik Afobe (Bournemouth)
The 24-year old Bournemouth striker may be forced to consider his future in the summer, following the Cherries’ acquisition of Jermain Defoe.
Afobe joined the club back in January 2016 from Wolves and has been a productive outlet for Eddie Howe’s side. He may not have had the most prolific of seasons last time around, as he managed just 6 goals and 3 assists from 31 Premier League games, but remains a decent option to consider for the Magpies. The former Arsenal man is strong and can play with his back facing the goal. He is a more than adept finisher as well and his experience in English football is another benefit.
With the likes of Defoe, Joshua King and Callum Wilson all likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order at the Vitality Stadium, Newcastle should look to explore the possibility of signing Afobe.
Khouma Babacar (Fiorentina)
There has been quite a bit of interest in the Fiorentina marksman in England and in Europe. Newcastle too should take a serious look at the 24-year old as a candidate to add to the strike-force at the club.
Babacar has been a regular for the Florence based outfit since 2015 and has been producing impressive returns for the club. Last season, he featured in 31 games for the Viola, finding the back of the net on 14 occasions, and notching up 3 assists. The Senegalese international is tall, strong and can cut it out in the physical style of football in England. Technically gifted as well as powerful, Babacar can provide an added thrust in the final third for the Magpies.
The 24-year old still has two years left on his contract with the club, but a lure of playing in the Premier League may turn out to be a hard thing to turn down. Newcastle should look at him as a potential target to enhance their attacking options.