West Ham transfer news: Hammers and Crystal Palace will go head-to-head for Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic

ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC is wanted by both West Ham and Crystal Palace with both clubs desperate for attacking reinforcements in January.

The Serbian has scored five times for Newcastle in the Championship this season but still can not command a regular starting place under Rafa Benitez.

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According to the , this has alerted both Premier League clubs and they are ready to pounce for the 22-year-old in the transfer window.

However, West Ham are likely to table a bid for Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge first and if they fail again to get a deal done for a first-choice target then they will move for Mitrovic.

Crystal Palace want to bring in another striker with Connor Wickham out after knee surgery and is unlikely to return to action this season.

With just Christian Benteke as their out and out striker Alan Pardew is worried that there will be to much pressure piled on to the shoulders of his summer recruit from Liverpool.

It remains to be seen if Palace will rival West Ham for Sturridge who is bound to have many clubs wanting to sign him even with his injury track record.

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That may put Palace off having lost Wickham to a long term injury they wont want to make a huge financial outlay only to lose another player to injury.

January is a tricky month to get players in especially those of the calibre of the England international but a loan deal for the striker may be more realistic.

Mitrovic is a striker that is strong and aggressive and could be the difference of staying up in the Premier League although it didn't work out for Newcastle last season.

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Benitez will know the importance of keeping a squad that is strong in depth and Mitrovic is a great striker to have to come off the bench when Newcastle are in the business end of the season as they attempt to win the Championship.

The Magpies are going to want to make as much money back on the Serbian international having cost the club £14.5m in the summer of 2015.