Anderlecht rule out selling Newcastle United target Aleksandar Mitrovic sale

Anderlecht have told Newcastle United to forget about signing highly-rated striker Aleksandar Mitrovic this summer.

Mitrovic, 20, finished as top goalscorer in the Belgian top flight last season and has since been linked to a host of English clubs.

The Serbian hitman also netted against Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League campaign, but general manager Herman van Holsbeeck is reluctant to lose the club's prized asset.

"At 20, Mitrovic has scored 20 league goals this season," he told reporters. "He scored against Arsenal, Dortmund and has also played for Serbia. This is a striker who you know can improve a side. Therefore, we have decided against selling him.

"Mitro is aware and he wants to stay."

The youngster, who has also been linked to Southampton and Swansea City, is contracted to the Belgian outfit until 2018.