He might split opinions among the fanbase, but Aleksandar Mitrovic has emerged as a West Ham target according to the Mirror.
The newspaper are suggesting that we will look to rub salt into Fulham’s wounds following their relegation and attempt to profit from their decline by snatching one of their most prized assets.
It is expected that there will be a mass exodus from Craven Cottage in the next transfer window, with Mitrovic likely to lead a queue through the exit door, including Jean Michael Seri and Tottenham-linked Ryan Sessegnon.
If we are looking to add Mitrovic to Manuel Pellegrini’s attacking options, a deal will not be cheap, as the Serbian only signed permanently with Fulham in the summer for £22million and they rejected a £50m offer in January when Chinese Super League outfit Guangzhou Evergrande tested their resolve.
A fee like that would demand players leave the London Stadium first, given the financial situation we are expected to be in come the summer, and Marko Arnautovic would be the most probable candidate to face the chop.
It would be unlikely that we recoup the amount the board demanded in the winter for his services, but given all that has gone on since, a slight reduction and the chance to start over with someone five years his younger should not be scorned.
Mitrovic has also scored more goals in the Premier League this season than our Austrian hitman, and continues to lead the division for aerial duels won, despite Fulham’s struggles.
The Partizan Belgrade product has even managed to fashion the most shots on goal of any player this season – eclipsing Arnautovic by 64 and Javier Hernandez by 74.
Signing the 46-cap international, then, would not only offer us all the chance to draw Arnautovic’s chapter with us to a close, but instantly solve what will be the boss’ biggest concern, who leads our line next season.
It should under no circumstances be Andy Carroll, with his contract set to expire, or Lucas Perez, who rarely demonstrates any kind of skill, and Hernandez often struggles to get the ball to cross the line.
