It had been widely expected that the Newcastle striker, Aleksandar Mitrovic would be leaving the club, this summer, to join the Premier League newcomers, Fulham.
The Serbian, out of favour at St James Park, spent a very successful loan spell at the West London club last season after arriving on loan in the January transfer window.
It had also been widely expected that the fee for the player would be handed to Rafael Benitez to help boost his squad ahead of the 2018 / 2019 Premier League season.
However, speculation has emerged this morning that the proposed deal could be in danger of not happening.
According to the media source, the Sun, Fulham are eyeing up making a move for the Real Sociedad striker, Willian Jose, with a fee of £26 million being mentioned.
Now, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that the Craven Cottage based club are not going to splash the cash and buy both Mitrovic and Willian Jose, it’ll be a case of either or.
The surprise development could, also, be a ploy to force Newcastle’s hand and push a deal through that would send Mitrovic back to West London on a permanent basis for a fee agreeable to Fulham.
But, here at Vital Newcastle, if Mitrovic is still surplus to requirements, we’d urge the club to talk to Fulham, do a deal and then use the money to improve the squad.
If we don’t and with the summer transfer window closing earlier than usual, courtesy of a rule change, we may be left to rue the consequences.