Newcastle United have rejected an astonishing 22 loan bids for striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to Football Insider.
The reliable sports news site claim that a huge number of clubs from across the globe have attempted to seal a temporary deal for the fringe attacker this month.
Football Insider report that among those who have tried to sign Mitrovic on loan are Brighton, West Brom, Bordeaux, Marseille, Anderlecht and Partizan Belgrade.
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.
The front man is keen to leave Newcastle this month as regular football in the second half of the season in keep his spot in the Serbia squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup finals.
OPINION
Of course, 22 bids for one player – especially one who can’t get in the team – is a staggering number. But, there is some logic to Newcastle’s stance on Mitrovic. The club need to cash in on their assets in order to fund new arrivals, and aren’t keen on a temporary exit for the former Anderlecht striker. They want to recoup the fee they paid the Belgian club for Mitrovic in the summer of 2015. The forward has a reasonable Magpies scoring record of 17 goals from 72 matches but his combustible temperament has led to a loss of trust from Rafael Benitez and it is difficult to see him getting much game time if Newcastle can’t find a buyer for him.