Newcastle United have rejected a bid from Brighton for striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, according to Sky Sports News.

What's the word?

The Serbia international has been at St James' Park since 2015 when he moved from Anderlecht.

Under manager Rafael Benitez, the forward has struggled to earn regular game time, partly due to injury, but also due to preference from the boss.

This season in particular, the 23-year-old has played just 89 minutes of Premier League football across six substitute appearances.

In that short time, Mitrovic has managed to score once, but Benitez still does not deem him good enough to move ahead of Joselu and Dwight Gayle in the pecking order.

Those two forwards have netted just seven goals between them this season.

According to Sky Sports News, Brighton have tabled an £8m bid for Mitrovic, but the Magpies have turned it down as they feel that he is worth more.

The club are also not interested in selling to a relegation rival.

Should Newcastle sell?

It does not appear that Mitrovic is a major part of Benitez's plans at St James' Park.

Offloading the striker for a price does have its advantages given that it will allow more funds to go into the transfer kitty.

However, a sale could also prove costly, especially if the club do not bring in a new attacker to replace him.

Newcastle have scored just three goals in their last five Premier League games and they currently sit one point above the relegation zone.

With the club's current predicament in mind, they are not in a position to lose players.

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