Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly keen on Salomon Rondon and Emile Heskey believes the Dalian Yifang ace could be the perfect replacement for Raul Jimenez, speaking exclusively to HITC.
With Nuno Espirito Santo’s side struggling for goals without their stricken talisman, a short-term solution may be on the cards during the January transfer window.
And who better than a proven Premier League goalscorer who, like Jimenez, thrives with his back to goal while getting the best out of technically gifted attacking midfielders a la Ayoze Perez?
The Mirror (13 December, page 62) reports Wolves have identified Rondon, who scored 35 times in the top flight for West Brom and Newcastle United, as a target man capable of filling a Jimenez-shaped void at Molineux.
“He’s actually in the same sort of mould as Jimenez,” Heskey says of the 31-year-old Venezuela international.
“Jimenez is probably a bit more elegant, he moves a little bit better than Rondon, but he’s in the same sort of mould as Jimenez.
“He’s done it before (in England), so it would be an interesting one.”
Rondon moved to China in a £16.5 million deal last year, linking up with former Newcastle coach Rafa Benitez at Dalian.
But the former Baggies favourite would surely be tempted by a move to a Wolves side boasting two of the division’s most exciting young creators in the silky Daniel Podence and bludgeoning Pedro Neto.
Rondon’s potential arrival would, however, leave £35 million record signing Fabio Silva on the sidelines.
But, given the 18-year-old has struggled to adapt to the physicality of English football, that may be no bad thing.
“(The physical side) comes later. It comes with knowing the league,” Heskey argues.
“When (Cesc) Fabregas first came into the league, he didn’t know all about that. When (Patrick) Vieira first came into the league, he didn’t know all about that. Thierry Henry, he didn’t know all about that.
“When you get used to it, that’s when you start to get on top of it and your technical ability shines through as well.
“We’re too quick to look at price tags. No, let’s look at performances. Let’s look at consistency and try to move past that.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
