ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC insists he has no interest in joining Napoli in January, despite the mounting speculation linking the Newcastle United striker with a possible move to Serie A.

After starting the season relatively slowly, Mitrovic has been in fine form in recent weeks, scoring four goals in his last three outings for the Magpies and finding the net again on Saturday as his header earned Serbia a 1-1 draw with Wales.

The 22-year-old’s form has not gone unnoticed, with a number of leading European sides credited with a strengthening interest in acquiring his services when the transfer window reopens at the start of the year.

Napoli are understood to be especially keen, with Arkadiusz Milik, who was signed in the summer to replace Gonzalo Higuain, nursing a long-term injury that will keep him on the sidelines for a number of months.

Newcastle’s hierarchy are adamant they will not be looking to sell anyone at the turn of the year, and will instead be endeavouring to support Rafael Benitez’s attempts to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Mitrovic remains happy on Tyneside, and has reassured supporters he will not be looking to leave at the turn of the year.

When asked whether he would still be a Newcastle player until the summer at least, he replied: “Yes. It is always nice when big clubs are interested in you, but I am at Newcastle and I want to return to the Premier League.

“I am focusing on Newcastle, and I want to score goals for them. My message to the fans is don’t worry because I will be there for the rest of the season.”

The Northern Echo:

Mitrovic has spent most of this season battling with Dwight Gayle for a place in Newcastle’s starting line-up, with his team-mate currently eight goals ahead of him in the Championship goalscoring charts.

The Serb insists it is a friendly rivalry, although there are bound to be frustrations if he is forced to return to the substitutes’ bench when Newcastle travel to Leeds United on Sunday.

Benitez’s decision to hand Gayle the number nine shirt in the summer was a firm indication of the current pecking order, but while Mitrovic insists he is happy to be wearing number 45 on his back, he admits he harbours ambitions to take over the most iconic shirt in the Newcastle dressing room.

“Maybe I will change to number nine for Newcastle one day, but 45 is my lucky number so I will keep 45 for now, he said. “But in the future we will see.

“I hope the header (against Wales) was like (Alan) Shearer. It was a good cross. I was against Ashley Williams and James Chester, and it was hard because they are strong guys.

“That is why I am a striker. It’s my job. I have good players around me, and I have to use them. I knew I would only have one or two chances – it came and I’m happy.”

Having helped Serbia remain in touch with the Republic of Ireland at the top of their World Cup qualifying group, Mitrovic will now turn his attention back to domestic matters, with Newcastle looking to strengthen their position at the top of the table when they travel to Elland Road.

“We are top of the Championship, and the ambition of everybody is to return to the Premier League,” he said, in an interview with The Sun. “We have to keep working hard to try and stay at the top, but with the players we have, that is where we should be.

“We have some big games to come, we have Leeds and Blackburn and then Hull in the EFL Cup quarter-final, so it is an exciting time.”