West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon is reportedly wanted by Newcastle United.
According to The Express and Star, West Bromwich Albion have rejected Newcastle United’s loan bid for striker Salomon Rondon – and have told the Magpies to pay up.
The Baggies swooped to land a coup in the summer of 2015 by signing Rondon from Zenit St Petersburg, but it’s fair to say that his goal return has fallen short of expectations.
Rondon has hit 28 goals in 119 games for West Brom, an average of around one in four, and the Venezuelan has often been criticised for his lack of killer instinct in front of goal, though his hold up play and work rate have been hailed.
When West Brom were relegated, a clause in Rondon’s contract allowed him to leave for £16.5million, and Newcastle United are interested in handing the burly forward an immediate return to the Premier League.
However, The Express and Star report that Newcastle have only offered a loan deal for the season with a view to a permanent move, and the Baggies have rejected it instantly.
It’s even claimed that West Brom have been left ‘annoyed’ by the cheeky offer, and they have told Newcastle to pay up the release clause or forget about a deal.
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is strapped for cash and needs to sell in order to buy, with striker Aleksandar Mitrovic key to any permanent move for Rondon.
The Serb is unwanted by Benitez, but after a prolific loan spell with Fulham, the Premier League new-boys are looking to sign him permanently – and selling him could fund a deal for Rondon in the end.
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