Aleksandar Mitrovic targeted by Turkish giants in loan swoop

The Serbian international is likely to be made available this summer by Rafa Benitez, with the Magpies boss keen to freshen up his forward line this summer.

United have been in negotiations to sign Chelsea youngster Tammy Abraham on loan butthey face stiff competition for the 19-year-old’s signature from fellow promoted side Brighton among others.

Should United land Abraham, who was yesterday named in the England Under-21 squad for the European Championships, that would almost certainly hasten the exit of either of Mitrovic or Republic of Ireland international Daryl Murphy, signed primarily to help the club’s promotion charge.

And reports in Turkey suggest Mitrovic could be a season-long loan target for Fenerbahce.

Mitrovic scored just four goals in the Championship last season, failing to build on a relatively bright opening campaign in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Southampton have rumoured to have edged ahead of Newcastle in the race to sign central defender Ruben Semedo.

And Spanish side Villareal could also step in, should the Magpies fail to land the 23-year-old.

The Sporting defender was rumoured to be subject to a bid of around £10million by the Magpies last week, as Rafa Benitez looks to tie up deals for two centre-halves ahead of the Premier League season.

But despite a number of Portuguese publications claiming that a deal with United was close for the 23-year-old, nothing has yet materialised.

A Bola are reporting that Southampton are willing to accept Sporting’s €14m price tag, which includes a 20% sell-on fee and as well as having an ‘anti-rival clause’ inserted in the deal.

This clause has been written into a number of deals done recently by Sporting, and prevents any buyer selling back to Porto, Braga or Benfica, unless they fork out another €30m.