Aleksandar Mitrovic put in a classic number nine’s performance in Serbia’s defeat on Friday, so are Newcastle making a mistake by selling him this summer?

According to a report in the Chronicle, Mitrovic’s impressive showing so far at the World Cup will not convince Rafael Benitez to keep the striker.

The beastly 23 year-old put in quite a shift in Serbia’s first match against Costa Rica, but couldn’t find the goal to cap off his performance.

Although his side fell to a 2-1 defeat against Switzerland on Friday, Mitrovic got the goal his performance deserved, powering in a header to give Serbia an early lead.

The report from the Chronicle says the Magpies are still going to cash in on the striker though, hoping the World Cup will help extract “maximum value” for any potential deal.

The striker has been linked with a return to Fulham, and Crystal Palace and Wolves are also eyeing a move.

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The report also claims Newcastle had slapped a £20m price tag on his head before the World Cup, and the young Serbian’s sale is key to funding other transfers.

While upwards of £20m would go a long way to helping Benitez secure other targets like Kenedy, is it a mistake to dump the striker?

He may have a bit of a temper, but his performances for Serbia have shown all the traits Benitez wants from a new striker signing this summer, so he should cut the middleman and just keep Mitrovic.

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Affectionately referred to as “Mitro” on Tyneside, the young striker scored 12 Championship goals during his loan spell with Fulham, and his form at the World Cup shows he isn’t planning on slowing down any time soon.

So, Newcastle fans, what would you do with Mitrovic this summer? Is it a mistake to cash in? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…