Newcastle striker could leave despite Premier League return

Aleksander Mitrovic has hinted he could leave Newcastle this summer despite the fact the club are preparing for life back in the Premier League next season.

The Serbia international, who scored the equaliser against Wales in their World Cup qualifier at the weekend, was linked with a move away from Newcastle in January after struggling to establish himself as a first-team regular under Rafa Benitez last season.

Reports that Newcastle want to sign Tammy Abraham on loan from Chelsea this summer would only limit Mitrovic’s first team opportunities further next season and the 22-year-old has suggested it wouldn't take a lot for another club to sign him.

“I’m very happy to help Newcastle back to the Premier League because that’s where the club deserves to be,” The Daily Mail quote Mitrovic as saying. “I want to rest my head and body now. I’m really tired. Then next season we will see.

“I don’t know anything. I heard something about other clubs. If some good offers for me - which are also good for the club - come in over the summer then we will speak about it.

“If it doesn’t happen then I’m still a Newcastle United player, I have three years on my contract. So we have to speak to the club, to the manager and we will see.”

Newcastle shelled out £14.5m to sign Mitrovic from Anderlecht in July 2015 but the fiery striker has struggled to make a big impact at the club, highlighted by the fact he only started 11 games in the Championship last season.

Despite only featuring in 27% of their league campaign last season, only Jonjo Shelvey (8) and Matt Ritchie (7) provided more assists for Newcastle than Mitrovic (6).

For more stats on Aleksandar Mitrovic, click here to visit his WhoScored player page