According to the latest reports from the Chronicle, West Bromwich Albion had made their stance clear on Salomon Rondon, and they are not going to budge from selling him for anything lower than £16.5m. The Baggies are not set to negotiate, and Newcastle United will have to trigger the Venezuelan’s release clause to land him.
Why is the Rondon deal taking time?
It is no surprise that the Magpies are one of the contenders to sign the forward in the summer. However, the deal for the West Brom striker has taken a backseat at the moment as the club is still finalising the takeover project. Newcastle United will also need to solve Rafael Benitez’s future first before making any signings. The Spanish manager is set to enter the final few days of his contract with the Magpies, and the negotiations have been ongoing for quite a while now.
It is believed that if Benitez commits to a new deal, then signing Rondon would be a priority for him. After an impressive season for the Toon, it is understandable why West Brom are holding on for the full price for the striker. Even though the striker will turn 30 in a few months, we feel that the Magpies should soon sign the Venezuelan forward.
What makes Rondon click for Newcastle?
The striker managed to score 12 goals in 33 appearances, and he was a standout player for his side in the attacking third. United often played a conservative brand of football and Rondon always acted as an out ball for his team-mates. His strength and physicality allowed him to bring the other players into the game with his hold up play, and he was just the perfect player for Benitez’s system.
The Magpies scored 42 goals in the Premier League, and Rondon either scored or assisted 18 of them. The Magpies are not known to sign players over 25, especially someone who is edging towards 30. But there is no doubt that they should make an exception in this case.
With new owners set to take over, Benitez might look to change some of the club’s transfer policy. It would be necessary for the Toon to keep hold of their key players, and Ayoze Perez is another one who is being linked with a move away. Both Perez and Rondon complimented each other well, and their playing style was utilised efficiently by Benitez.
If United want to improve from here onwards, they need to first secure Benitez and give him the funds to land Rondon who recently won Newcastle’s player of the season award.
