West Brom may want to consider the option of cashing in on Salomon Rondon in the summer, and Swansea’s Fernando Llorente would be an ideal replacement.
Salomon Rondon has not scored for West Brom since December
After an impressive start to the season, Rondon has endured a tough time at The Hawthorns and the goals have dried up for the Venezuelan centre forward. The 27-year-old has not scored for the Baggies since netting a hat-trick against Llorente’s Swansea City in December. He currently has seven goals to his name this term.
He was signed from Zenit St Petersburg the summer before last but has failed to live up to the billing in terms of goals. He has a record of 17 goals in 75 appearances and has done little to justify what was then a club-record price tag of £12million paid for him (BBC Sport).
Rondon was the subject of a big money bid from China (Sky Sports) that was rejected by West Brom boss Tony Pulis due to the small size of his squad. After Rondon’s recent performances, Pulis may regret not cashing in on the forward and making a healthy profit on him.
However, it would be naive to rule out another big bid coming in for him from China and West Brom will more than likely think twice before dismissing the idea of Rondon leaving the Hawthorns.
West Brom have been linked heavily with a summer move for Watford captain Troy Deeney in recent weeks (HITC). This would indicate that they are planning for an immediate future without Rondon.
Swansea City’s Fernando Llorente celebrates scoring in their victory over Stoke City
Fernando Llorente should be a player for Pulis to consider making a move for in the summer. The 32-year-old has played a pivotal role in keeping Swansea’s Premier League survival hopes alive.
He has scored 11 goals for the Swans this season. If he is unable to help secure Swansea’s Premier League status then a move away from the Liberty Stadium will be almost a certainty. Llorente would be a perfect fit in Tony Pulis’ West Brom team and his aerial presence and his proven goalscoring ability would make him the ideal replacement for Rondon.
If Swansea are playing Championship football next year then it is likely that he would not command a bank breaking transfer fee. If this move was to take place then it would be a shrewd piece of business all round.
Fernando Llorente in Swansea’s top scorer this season with 11 goals
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