Newcastle transfer news: Toon tracking Partizan Belgrade defender Nikola Milenkovic as they prepare for January window

NEWCASTLE are tracking Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic, according to reports.

But the Toon will face stiff competition for the Partizan Belgrade star, 19, if they decide to act.

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Belgian giants Anderlecht and Dutch side Ajax are both keen on the 6ft 4in centre-back, according to .

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All three clubs have sent scouts to the Partizan Stadium, the same place Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic developed his game in the youth system.

Milenkovic is under contract until 2020, meaning Partizan will most likely hold out for their full £3million valuation of him.

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The teenager made his debut in 2015 and has played 13 times for the first team. Last season he was loaned out to second-tier Serbian side FK Teleoptik in order to gain more game time.

Magpies boss Rafa Benitez revealed the club are already looking ahead to the January transfer window, though their focus is primarily on promotion from the Championship.

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The Spaniard, 56, said: "As well as concentrating on the present, we are also having half an eye on the future. The fans have to be confident that we are doing our jobs.

“But at the same time, we are also thinking about January, and even the season after that.

“But at the same time, we cannot lose our focus and our focus has to be the next game.”