Newcastle United target Salomon Rondon now has a £25 million price-tag over his head.
Newcastle have been chasing Rondon all summer, with Rafael Benitez eager to bring in the target man.
However, West Brom’s new asking price for the forward, surely rules out a move to St. James’ Park.
Newcastle were reluctant to pay £16.5 million, when Rondon’s release clause was still active, so they are highly unlikely to raise their offer by another £8.5 million.
It serves as yet another blow to Benitez’s transfer plans, in what has been a hugely frustrating summer for the Spaniard.
It was expected that Benitez would have money to spend this summer, but he has had to shop in the bargain basement once again.
Benitez’s annoyance was obvious in his latest interview, and West Brom raising Rondon’s asking price is unlikely to improve his mood.
Newcastle will now have to look elsewhere for a striker, but there no guarantees Benitez will get a new forward before the close of the transfer window.
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