Player sold by Newcastle United for £22m wanted by PIF-owned club

Former Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic could reportedly become the latest big name to join a Saudi Arabia Pro League club.

The Serbian frontman had a mixed three-year stay on Tyneside after joining the Magpies from Belgian club Anderlecht in a £13million during the summer of 2015. Mitrovic scored nine goals and provided four assists in 36 appearances during his first season on Tyneside but was unable to prevent United from suffering relegation into the Championship.

He remained part of Rafa Benitez’s squad that bounced back into the Premier League at the first attempt but never seemed to fully earn the trust of the Spaniard and moved to Fulham on loan in January 2018. Twelve goals and one assist helped the Cottagers to promotion into the top tier and earned Mitrovic a £22million permanent move to West London during the following summer.

Speaking earlier this year of his time on Tyneside, Mitrovic told The Athletic: “They live for football, you know? They live for the weekend to see their team. When friends in Serbia ask me about England, I tell them about Newcastle because football is like a religion to these people.

"They gave me the chance to play in the Premier League, aged 20. It’s a massive club and I still support them. Everything that’s happened there, with the new owner and all the money, it’s fully deserved for the fans. They are the best in England, maybe in the world.”

After scoring over a century of goals for Fulham, there had been speculation over interest from clubs across Europe - but Sky Sports News have now reported the Craven Cottage club have received a £25.5million offer from Al Ahli, one of four Pro League clubs part-owned by Newcastle United’s majority shareholders, the Saudi Arabia Public Investement Fund.

Although Fulham have reportedly rejected the offer and insisted the former Magpie is going nowhere, Sky Sports News have revealed sources close to Mitrovic believe the Serbian striker is keen to make the move. Mitrovic will become team-mates with former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy and Algerian international Ryad Boudebouz if he does make the move to the Pro League.