According to The Chronicle, Mike Ashley has now ‘come round’ to the idea of signing Salomon Rondon – with Rafa Benitez now expected to complete the signing of the West Brom striker over the ‘coming days.
We’ve been in talks to sign Rondon for several weeks now and although a deal for a player nearing 29 seemed to go against the club’s tedious transfer policy, it sounds like Rafa has now got the green light to get it done.
It sounds like the deal will also see Dwight Gayle go the other way.
Whether this mean a straight ‘loan swap’ or a player plus cash deal remains to be seen, but The Chronicle now claim that the Venezuelan’s move to Tyneside could go ahead in the next few days – with West Brom now said to be resigned to losing him.
Here’s their latest update on the deal, with Lee Ryder now confirming that the club have now given Rafa the go ahead to sign him:
‘Rafa Benitez hopes to complete the signing of Salomón Rondón in the coming days
‘The Rondon deal has been an on/off saga for Rafa Benitez throughout the summer transfer window but his board now seem to have come round to the idea that it’s a good deal.
‘Initially Benitez was told that Rondon did not fit the club’s criteria as far as their recruitment policy was concerned.
‘But with Dwight Gayle potentially heading to West Bromwich Albion as part of a swap deal, Rondon’s £16.5million fee will be reduced significantly.
‘Gayle is yet to agree terms to sign for the Baggies but Benitez has already admitted that he could leave the club IF it means United end up in better shape because of it.
‘But Benitez is expecting money to spend after Mitrovic left United for Fulham.’
Has the sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic finally allowed us to push this one through?
I’m still not convinced that we’ll be paying his £16.5m release clause, however the cost of that will be offset by whatever West Brom are prepared to pay for Gayle – unless it is in fact a straight loan swap.
The Chronicle also claim that West Brom boss ‘wants a deal done’ for Gayle before their opening day encounter with Bolton at the weekend, so it sounds like there’s now a willingness on both sides to get this one done and dusted.
He’s not been prolific at West Brom (although who would be under Pardew, Pulis and Gary Megson?!), but I for one thing he could be quite a handy signing. He’s a real handful, will give 110%, he’s surprisingly quick/mobile and he’s strong in the air.
If he can just add a few goals to his game he’ll be a very useful player for us – and I back Benitez to get the best out of him.
Either way, let’s get right behind him if and when he signs.
rondon sucks *** get ings
lick my ball sack ashley(Quote)
I totally agree with the article with regard to Rondon perhaps not having showed his full potential in the premier yet. I could be totally wrong of course but I think it’s a fair point that Rondon has played in struggling teams under ultra defensive and or terrible managers. He is a handful, he is very good in the air, and he does have a bit of pace about him. Everything else can be worked on with Rafa. What we really need as well though is a number 10 who can chip in with double figures returns. Either that or we need to buy another striker who’s more clinical to give Rondon competition. I could be wrong on this as well but I think Muto is going to be used more as a support to the number 9 even if he did play through the middle for Mainz. The young Everton player Lookman who’s on loan over there said that the Bundesliga is a lot less physical than the premier, so that’s what I’d base my opinion of Muto on.
Kevin(Quote)
As exciting as getting a lump of coal for Christmas!!
LA Toon(Quote)
In reply to lick my ball sack Ashley , why go for Danny Inngs who has spent more time on the treatment table and Liverpool are asking £20 million for him . The games he has played he hasn’t set the world on fire.
tojo1530(Quote)
I don’t get why so many would rather have Ings than Rondon, they have similar goalscoring records. Ings had one great season in the championship where he bagged 20 odd goals, his best in the premier league was 11. I do think both would improve us, but neither would significantly improve us to the point that we would like. Rondon does have the better fitness record and may well benefit from having a better manager than he has had in previous seasons.
Darren(Quote)
Why Ings before Rondon ❓
Because, for some no signing will ever be good enough. If we bought Ings, they’d say we should have got someone else…………it’s the moaners’ mentality……. 🙄
Toontaff(Quote)
Santiago Garcia, 27, (Uru) 182cm, 175/89 goals
Luataro Martines, 20 (Arg) 179cm, 48/22 goals
Both play at High level in Argentina. Two deadly strikers. $20 would be enough for both.
Paul(Quote)
Benitez is obsessed with Rondon. He wants someone to score goals, but he and Danny Welbeck – who he is also after, are guaranteed NOT to get you goals – their record says that. Do managers examine closely the goals to games ratio of players before signing them ? Rafa apparently doesn’t. These two will only make matters worse. And Muto ??? F.F.S. !
Newcastle will be relegated. And it will be down to poor decisions like these.
Spectrum(Quote)