According to the Newcastle Chronicle, a host of clubs want to sign Newcastle United forward Aleksandar Mitrovic when the January transfer window opens for business.

What's the story?

Mitrovic has played just 30 minutes of Premier League football this season, which is an indication of just how out of favour he is under Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez.

With the Magpies struggling to hit the back of the net this season, it is a little bit bizarre that Mitrovic, who has two goals in just three appearances this season, cannot buy a Premier League start.

It is clear that Benitez does not trust the 23-year-old, and according to the Newcastle Chronicle, a number of clubs want to sign the Serbian at the start of 2018.

The report claims that there is interest from China and indeed the Championship, whilst the striker's former club Anderlecht have been in contact over a possible move.

Would Newcastle let him go in January?

Newcastle have only netted 10 times in their 11 Premier League fixtures this season, with Joselu and Jamaal Lascelles their joint top scorers on two goals each.

Dwight Gayle has struggled in the early stages of the 2017-18 campaign, whilst Joselu, for all of his work, has only managed two goals since arriving in the summer.

Mitrovic, who is valued at £9m by transfermarkt.co.uk, actually scored nine Premier League goals for Newcastle during the 2015-16 season, and it seems likely that the striker would bring a decent return if he was handed regular starts.

His career at Newcastle looks to be over, but according to the Newcastle Chronicle, Benitez will only allow Mitrovic to leave if a replacement is signed.

Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua are said to be among those interested, and a move away from Newcastle could be what all parties need at the start of 2018.

https://video.footballfancast.com/video-2015/fm90sc-newcastle95.mp4