West Bromwich Albion have reportedly activated a contract option in Salomon Rondon’s deal.
The expected has happened for Newcastle United today, as West Bromwich Albion have activated a two-year contract option on Salomon Rondon according to The Chronicle.
The Magpies had to be calculated with their summer business; Martin Dubravka, Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar arrived in bargain deals, Kenedy returned on loan, whilst Ki Sung-yueng signed for free and Yoshinori Muto arrived from Mainz as the biggest outlay of the summer.
Even after landing Muto, Rafael Benitez wanted another centre forward, and pursued West Brom ace Rondon for much of the summer, but couldn’t seal a permanent move worth £16.5million thanks to a release clause in the striker’s deal.
As much as Benitez pushed for his signature on a permanent basis, Mike Ashley refused, preferring to put his money into buying House of Fraser rather than giving Benitez the permanent deal for Rondon he wanted.
Newcastle did though manage to land Rondon on loan, swapping him for Dwight Gayle for the season, with the hope of signing him permanently next summer if Ashley has finally sold the club or seeks to back Benitez rather than buying department stores.
Rondon’s deal with West Brom was scheduled to expire next summer, making him a free agent, but The Chronicle report that The Baggies have – as expected – activated a two-year contract option in his deal.
West Brom were never going to loan Rondon out for the final year of his deal with no chance of securing a fee, and activating his option protects them against losing the striker to Newcastle for nothing next year.
That’s a blow for Newcastle, albeit an expected one, and Rondon may earn his first start for the Magpies against Cardiff City on Saturday after a promising substitute appearance against Tottenham last weekend.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
