Newcastle join race for £26m “monster”

Newcastle United are in the market for a proven centre-forward after a frustrating start to the summer window so far.

With Alexander Isak’s future uncertain and targets like Bryan Mbeumo, Hugo Ekitike, and João Pedro choosing other clubs, Newcastle are in urgent need of clarity in the final third.

The Swedish striker’s omission from the club’s pre-season tour of Southeast Asia, coupled with Liverpool’s interest, rumoured to involve a nine-figure sum, has added urgency to the club’s recruitment strategy.

Benjamin Šeško remains high on the shortlist, and there is still hope a deal can be agreed with RB Leipzig.

The 21-year-old Slovenian scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, but while his ceiling is high, he remains a player of potential rather than pedigree.

Likewise, Brentford’s Yoane Wissa has impressed but with Brentford holding out for more than Newcastle are prepared to pay, Newcastle must consider other options.

In their search for the consistency and output expected of a Champions League striker, the Magpies are now eyeing a familiar face with unfinished business at St James’ Park.

Newcastle eyeing up stunning reunion

Aleksandar Mitrovic may have swapped Fulham and the Premier League for Al-Hilal and the Saudi Pro League, but the goals have continued to flow.

The 30-year-old Serbian striker has been nothing short of devastating since his move to the Middle East, scoring 47 goals and registering eight assists in just 51 appearances across all competitions.

His form has been so dominant that Arab News writer Matt Monaghan described him as “the signing of the season,” a major compliment in a league now filled with global superstars. “He has just been an absolute monster up front,” Monaghan added.

Well, according to CaughtOffside, Premier League clubs, including the Toon, have taken note of his resurgence and are looking at potentially bringing him back to English shores.

Manchester United are actively monitoring the situation amid concerns about the productivity of Rasmus Højlund and new signing Joshua Zirkzee.

Why Mitrovic makes financial sense for Newcastle

Mitrovic has built a lethal partnership with Malcolm in Riyadh, with the pair combining for one of the most productive duos in the region.

His blend of brute strength, aerial dominance and underrated technical quality has continued to torment defences, even if many are quick to discredit his numbers due to the league he plays in.

But the stats are hard to ignore.

In the 2024/25 season, Mitrovic has averaged 0.89 goals per 90 minutes, significantly higher than Šeško (0.49) and Wissa (0.59).

He’s also averaging 4.44 shots per 90, with 48.4% of those on target. These are elite-level numbers, even when adjusted for context.

To put that in further perspective, Šeško averaged just 2.50 shots per 90 with a shots-on-target percentage of 43.9%, while Wissa took 2.78 shots per 90 at a 45.6% accuracy rate.

When it comes to shot-creating actions, Mitrovic again leads the pack with 4.44 per 90, compared to 2.50 for Šeško and 2.78 for Wissa.

The contrast speaks to a player still in his prime and ready to return to the Premier League with a point to prove.

And for Newcastle, who are in desperate need of consistent output up front, the Serbian’s profile offers immediate impact.

There’s also an emotional side to the story. Mitrovic spent three years at Newcastle between 2015 and 2018, scoring 17 times in 72 appearances.

Though his spell wasn’t always smooth, he retains a fondness for the club and has spoken warmly about the city and supporters since leaving.

That familiarity could ease his transition, especially for a team looking for leadership and firepower in equal measure.

Financially, a return could make a lot of sense too. Al-Hilal are expected to ask for a fee of around €30m (£26m) – less than what Newcastle would need to spend on either Šeško or Wissa.

And with both Newcastle and Al-Hilal under the umbrella of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), there is confidence that a deal could be fast-tracked if the green light is given.

Spurs and Man United may well be at the table but Newcastle have an edge. The emotional pull of a return, coupled with the shared ownership structure and the opportunity to lead the line in a high-profile project, may prove decisive in any transfer tug-of-war.

For a team stuck between investing in future potential or banking on proven output, Aleksandar Mitrović represents a compelling middle ground.

He’s more prolific than Šeško, more clinical than Wissa, and more attainable than many of his top-level peers.

With Isak unsettled and Champions League ambitions on the line, Newcastle might find that sometimes the best move is the one you’ve made before – just this time, with a striker ready to finish the job he once started.

Related

Better signing than Wissa: Newcastle open talks to sign “the new Haaland”

With Alexander Isak potentially set to leave, and a move for Yoane Wissa now off the table, Newcastle have enquired about signing a “powerful” striker