According to Sky Sports, European giants Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan are both interested in signing £16m-rated West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon this summer, and Newcastle United should be looking to bring the Venezuela international to St James’ Park.
What’s the word, then?
Well, Sky Sports report that the 28-year-old has a release clause of £16m in his contract following the Baggies’ relegation to the Championship this season, and he is attracting interest from huge clubs like Atletico and Inter.
Rondon has been in England with the west Midlands club since 2015 and while he couldn’t prevent them going down this term, he still impressed many with his committed and hard-working performances up top.
Meanwhile, one of Magpies manager Rafa Benitez’s main priorities this summer will be to bring a new centre-forward to the club to boost their chances of finishing in the top seven next season, with Aleksandar Mitrovic looking likely to go, Joselu failing to make a big impact following his move from Stoke City last summer and Islam Slimani not making a positive impression during a difficult loan spell.
How did Rondon do this season?
In what was a difficult campaign for West Brom, the Venezuelan was one of their better performers and netted 10 goals in 40 appearances in all competitions, providing a further four assists.
The 28-year-old impressed with his high work-rate and general all-round play as a strong striker, and according to WhoScored.com he won 162 of the 371 aerial duels he faced in 36 Premier League outings to prove that he is up for a battle.
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Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?
He certainly would be.
While he may not a really prolific striker – he has 28 goals in 120 appearances in total for West Brom – he does still provide that goal threat and more importantly is unselfish nature and hold-up play helps to bring his teammates into play.
Because of his height and strength he would also be vital at both ends of the pitch for the Magpies next season, and if Benitez, whose high ambitions will be met if Mike Ashley gets a deal over the line for a 28-year-old Champions League attacker this summer, gets the right players in and around him then his side’s goal tally should be much higher than it was this season next term, and that could be the key to them finishing seventh and the best of the rest.
