Newcastle United are reportedly close to agreeing a deal that would see West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon join the Magpies.
Rondon seems to have been heavily linked with a move to St James’ Park for much of the window, and it appears that the Magpies may now be on the verge of getting something done after he was absent from the Baggies’ squad for their Championship season curtain-raiser against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
According to BBC Sport, Rondon is close to sealing a move to join Newcastle. The move could be completed before next week, according to the report, in news that is bound to be music to Rafa Benitez’s ears. Sky Sports adds on their live transfer blog (04/08; 17:23) that Dwight Gayle is set to move in the opposite direction, with Newcastle paying £2 million as a loan fee.
It has been another trying window for the Spaniard. He has been able to bring in five signings, but none have exactly caught the eye with the fees that they have been brought in for and it appears that it could take all of Benitez’s magic to make sure that it is not a difficult season for the side.
A 4-0 defeat to Braga in midweek made it abundantly clear that more needs to be done before the deadline arrives. A move for Rondon may not solve all of their problems by any means, but it appears to be a decent deal should it all go through as expected.
Rondon’s record in England is not exceptional, but he has provided a respectable haul of goals in each of his three full seasons at The Hawthorns and he could prove to be a decent addition if Benitez brings the best out of him.
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