Newcastle United fans have called on Twitter for Rafael Benitez to give opportunities to striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after it was reported the club have rejected an astonishing 22 bids for him this month.
Football Insider claim that a huge number of clubs from across the globe, including Brighton, West Brom, Bordeaux, Marseille, Anderlecht and Partizan Belgrade, have attempted to seal a temporary deal for the 23-year-old during the January window.
It is said that Newcastle will not consider loaning him out and are only interested in a permanent deal that matches their £14million valuation of the Serbia international.
Mitrovic has not started a single Premier League game this season despite Newcastle’s dire need for a proven goalscorer and Dwight Gayle, Joselu and Ayoze Perez are ahead of him in the pecking order.
He is keen to quit St James’ Park this month as he wants regular football in the second half of the season to keep his spot in the Serbia squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup finals.
A section of Newcastle fans have urged Benitez to recall Mitrovic to the team and give him the chance to challenge for a regular place.
Supporters recognise that the manager doesn’t trust the front man due to his combustible temperament but believe the rejected bids are proof that Benitez still sees a future for him at the club.
One claimed that Newcastle were “ruining” Mitrovic’s career by refusing to grant him an exit.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
Seems everyone else can see mitro is worth taking on n to play him except us ..we really need to give him a shot can’t be any worse than Gayle or Perez at the minute .I rate mitro n hope he’s fit for the man city game .mitro ..atsu ..Henri all play well together .be goals then
— gary cuz NUFC HWTL???? (@ghostrydergcc) January 17, 2018
I wouldn’t say it’s because of ability, it’ll be more that Rafa doesn’t trust him. Nevertheless i would love to see him back in the line up! #NUFC
— NUFC HQ (@NUFC_HQ) January 17, 2018
He is an international whom scores goals. Yes, he may be a bit hot headed but if he scores a few, it could be the difference between going down and staying up. I like Gayle but he is a championship player and Joselu just doesn’t inspire me. At least Mitro would lead the line.
— stumpy (@ben11661) January 17, 2018
Sell gayle to Fulham 17mil and play mitro
— Dez McIck (@dezmcick) January 17, 2018
Do they want to ruin the boy’s career?
What’s wrong with them?— Opustošitelj špajza (@Grgechkapitalac) January 17, 2018
we have to keep him as paying his wages means we can’t sign anyone else
— artery graph (@arterygraph) January 17, 2018
the ‘astonishing’ part is the 22 clubs who dont seem to understand the phrase ‘PERMANENT transfer & £14M’, however after Gayle’s finishing on Saturday I’m glad he’s not been sold. #nufc
— Ben Weekes (@pokerpater) January 17, 2018
I mean hopefully we can see some more of him after this month
— BF (@Forbsey67) January 17, 2018