Porto launch bid for Aleksandar Mitrovic?

United want two centre backs and Congolese star Mbemba, along with Mitrovic was pulled out of training with Anderlecht yesterday as dealing intensified.

Newcastle are believed to have held talks with the 20-year-old and are close to an agreement on personal terms, although Chelsea’s late bid could prompt Mitrovic to reconsider his options.

Such an arrangement is outlawed in England, but it is commonplace in a number of European countries and should enable Porto to match anything Newcastle put on the table.

Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are also well aware of Mitrovic’s talents but it is understood Chelsea have now stepped up their interest, with the Pedro deal in doubt due to Barcelona’s club elections.

Charlie Austin remains a Newcastle target, but they won’t pay £15 million for a player with a year left on his QPR contract.

Swansea are also interested, but like Newcastle are not willing to fork out the £15million that Chelsea could offer.

Anderlecht paid Partizan Belgrade a club-record £4 million for the 11-cap Serbia worldwide, who started his career at Teleoptik, back in August 2013 and he has gone on to become one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards.

The Magpies play the second game of their American tour in the early hours of Sunday morning as they take on a Sacramento Republic side that claimed a 1-0 win over Sunderland earlier in the week.