According to reports in The Chronicle, Newcastle United have denied stories in Turkey that they have offered Aleksandar Mitrovic in part of a deal to bring Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun to St James' Park during the January transfer window.

What's the word, then?

Well, according to Turkish source DHA on Monday, the Magpies had offered £9m-plus-Mitrovic for Tosun, but The Chronicle says that United officials are "mystified" by the story and say there is no truth to it.

While The Chronicle says that the Tyneside outfit are interested in the prolific Turkey international, they also aren't convinced that he is worth the £20m that Besiktas want for him considering he has never played in the Premier League.

While manager Rafa Benitez may want the 26-year-old, if the Super Lig side spark a bidding war for the striker then Newcastle are unlikely to remain in the chase for his signature.

How good has Tosun been this season?

He has been very impressive.

The striker has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances in all competitions for Besiktas, including four in five Champions League matches to help them qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old has also netted three goals for Turkey since the beginning of the campaign, although it wasn’t enough to see them qualify for the World Cup in Russia next summer.

Are Newcastle right to be wary?

They certainly are.

Whenever you sign a player from abroad who has never played in England or the Premier League before there is a risk.

However, 59 goals in 135 games for Besiktas is a decent record and the Magpies certainly need a striker right now following four successive top flight defeats, and with first-choice attacker Joselu going six matches without a goal, with Tosun a good option in the New Year.

Should they offer Mitrovic as part of the deal?

They probably should, yes.

While the Newcastle fans want him to be given a chance it seems that he is never going to be a regular under Benitez, and if they could do a deal where they gave Besiktas Mitrovic and some money for Tosun it would probably be a good move for all parties.

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