End of Chris Wood, chance to prove Benitez wrong: Newcastle eye record-breaking player - opinion

According to reports, Newcastle United are interested in signing Aleksandar Mitrovic following what has been a record-breaking campaign.

Mitrovic has performed wonders for Fulham in the Championship this term, breaking the second tier’s goalscoring record with 41 strikes in 41 matches so far. Fulham have already been promoted back to the top flight, but Mitrovic could be on the move to a rival.

It is thought the Magpies, along with Arsenal, are eyeing a move for the Serbia international.

But what would this mean for Newcastle? We take a look at a couple of potential consequences.

Following the Private Investment Fund’s Newcastle takeover, the Toon splashed the cash during the January transfer window, and Wood was one of the five new faces to make the move to St James’ Park. Newcastle parted with £25m to sign the New Zealand international, and 49 Premier League goals for Burnley were proof he can perform at the highest level.

However, he has managed just two goals in 14 matches for his new club, and at 30 years of age, he is hardly one for the future. He never appeared to be a long-term signing and it may even have been that the main reason for capturing his services was to harm one of Newcastle’s relegation rivals. Should Mitrovic return to the north-east, Wood could well be left out in the cold.

Mitrovic has already spent time at Newcastle, of course. He spent three years at the club between 2015 and 2018 after impressing in Belgium with Anderlecht, but could only manage 17 goals in 72 matches for the club. Ultimately, he was sold to Fulham, and when Benitez was asked why he decided not to keep him, he said the striker did not suit his style of play.

Rafael Benitez is now a distant memory at St James’ Park and Newcastle