Newcastle's Serbian Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic Reportedly Offered to Ligue 1 Side for £16m

​Newcastle United and Serbia forward Alexsandar Mitrovic has been offered to the French club Lyon at the price of £16m, reports from France are suggesting.

According to ​Foot Mercato, the 22-year-old could make the aforementioned move from Tyneside as Lyon attempt to sign players to replace those who have left in what appears to be a large exodus from the club.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Aleksandar Mitrovic of Newcastle United and his Newcastle United team mates celebrate winning the title after the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Barnsley at St James' Park on May 7, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Stu Forster/GettyImages

So far, Mathieu Valbuena, Corentin Tolisso, Maxime Gonalons, Alexandre Lacazette and Christophe Jallet have all departed the Ligue 1 side and quality players are certainly needed to fill the gaps left by the recent flurry of outgoing transfers. 

Most importantly, it seems that Lacazette's vacant position up-front will need the most immediate attention ahead of the new season.

Whether Mitrovic fits their needs and wants is another question however, with Lacazette scoring over 90 goals for Lyon in the past three years, they are desperate for a prolific goalscorer to replace him.

Mitrovic made only 11 Championship starts for Newcastle last season, scoring four goals, but for his native Serbia he continues to be first choice and over the last year has averaged an impressive goal-a-game ratio at international level.

BELGRADE, SERBIA - JUNE 11: Aleksandar Mitrovic (R) of Serbia in action against Ashley Williams (L) of Wales during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Serbia and Wales at stadium Rajko Mitic on June 11, 2017 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)

Srdjan Stevanovic/GettyImages

It appears that Magpies manager Rafa Benitez does not foresee a strong future for Mitrovic at the Toon, and the sale of his team's number 45 could very well make way for another striker that the Spaniard may wish to bring in.

Mitrovic also seems to see his potential career at Newcastle in uncertain terms. Speaking in June this year, he said: “If some good offers for me – which are also good for the club – come in for me over the summer, then we will speak about it."

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