Newcastle United are continuing their pursuit of West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon.
According to The Chronicle, Newcastle United will resume talks with West Bromwich Albion over a deal for striker Salomon Rondon today as manager Rafael Benitez chases a signing this week.
The Magpies have technically added just the one new face since the end of last season, with midfielder Ki Sung-yueng arriving on a free transfer from Swansea City – though loanees Martin Dubravka and Kenedy have returned, permanently and on loan respectively.
Newcastle certainly need more reinforcements though, and a new striker is an absolute must given that neither Joselu nor Dwight Gayle can be relied upon for goals, and Islam Slimani has returned to Leicester City.
West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon has been a top target, and after a loan bid was rejected last week, The Chronicle now report that talks will continue today about a possible deal.
The 28-year-old striker has a £16.5million release clause in his contract following West Brom’s relegation from the Premier League, but Newcastle aren’t keen to pay that much, and are attempting to find ways around it.
Rondon has hit just 24 goals in 108 Premier League games since joining the Baggies from Zenit St. Petersburg in 2015, but has the physical attributes Benitez is looking for in attack.
The report notes that Benitez wants to ensure that at least one signing is made this week, before Newcastle jet out to Portugal to continue their pre-season preparations later this week.
Benitez may well hope that it’s Rondon who comes in as talks progress today, but with Swiss international defender Fabian Schar also wanted, it could yet be an option at the back that arrives rather than another striker.
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