Napoli are looking to secure a deal to sign Newcastle striker Aleksander Mitrovic, according to the Northern Echo.
The report claims the 22-year-old striker is set to be the subject of an £8.7million move from the Serie A big hitter after struggling to have an impact at St. James’ Park during the Toon’s Championship-winning campaign.
However, Rafael Benitez’s side are unwilling to see the forward leave St. James’ Park for anything less than the £13million they paid for him in the summer of 2015.
This means that Napoli will have to fork out another £4.3million if they are to seal a deal for the forward, who has slipped down the pecking order at Newcastle under Benitez.
Napoli’s representatives are currently on Tyneside as the two parties look to thrash out a deal for goalkeeper Pepe Reina, but the two sides could also be discussing a move for Mitrovic.
Turkish duo Besiktas and Fenerbahce are also said to be interested in Serbia international Mitrovic, but it is believed Napoli are in a stronger position to secure a permanent move for the former Anderlecht striker.
Maurizio Sarri’s side earned a huge revenue of £308million last season following his side’s participation in the Champions League, allowing them to more for Newcastle’s number 45 beyond just a loan move.
Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham is expected to sign for Newcastle on a season-long loan deal in the coming days, leaving Newcastle with four strikers including Dwight Gayle, Daryl Murphy as well as Mitrovic.
That could see Mitrovic become surplus to requirements ahead of the Toon’s fight to remain in the Premier League, after scoring only six goals in 29 league and cup encounters this season.
The powerful striker, who joined Newcastle in 2015 from Belgian giants Anderlecht, has scored a measly 15 goals in 65 appearances in all competitions for the north east outfit and has three years remaining on his current deal.