Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has revealed that January loan moves to three teams fell through before he secured a temporary exit to Fulham on deadline day.
Mitrovic was heavily linked with a move away from Tyneside in January after falling massively out of favour under Rafa Benitez this season, being confined to the bench for the majority of the campaign.
Now, in an interview with The Times, Mitrovic has revealed that he had deals in place with Bordeaux, Anderlecht and Middlesbrough, before his move to Fulham materialised at the last minute.
He was first set to go to Bordeaux on the morning of deadline day before Anderlecht came in with an offer. Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic then called and offered him a move to the club, which he declined.
Then his move to Anderlecht fell through after he had flown to Brussels to sign, before Newcastle worked out a deal with Middlesbrough to take the 23-year-old to the Riverside.
Mitrovic then claims he contacted Jokanovic on Snapchat, explaining that his move to Anderlecht had fallen through, and the player was able to complete a move to Fulham before the deadline.
OPINION
It is highly doubtful that anyone else had as eventful a deadline day as Mitrovic. But it has all worked out in the end, and it looks like both player and club are happy with the outcome. Newcastle retain his services if they are needed again in the summer, with Fulham obviously paying a decent loan fee to secure the 23-year-old. Mitrovic is playing at a club chasing promotion to the Premier League, and under a manager whom he knows well.