North-East reporter offers transfer update after big claims that NUFC will sign Salomon Rondon
Asked if there's any truth behind claims that we're set to activate Salomon Rondon's £16.5m release clause, the Chronicle's Lee Ryder has admitted that he's a player 'in the mix' at NUFC - but insists that 'no real progress' has been made on that deal 'yet'.
The Mirror reported late last night that we were now 'prepared to meet' the striker's £16.5m release clause, claiming West Brom were 'fearing' that the striker looked set join Rafa Benitez at St James' Park.
These were big claims - and they weren't met with a great deal of satisfaction on Tyneside due to his fairly uninspiring goal record - however it appears that a move for Rondon isn't as far on as the Mirror suggested.
Here's what Lee Ryder has had to say when asked if a deal for Rondon was in the pipeline during the Chronicle's Q&A today :
"Part of the problem for Rafa is that he’s finding it difficult to get the guarantee he can shell out a big fee on one player.
"Rondon is in the mix and has been offered to a clutch of clubs, but there’s no real progress on that deal yet."
So, it sounds like he is a player Rafa is considering, however it appears premature of the Mirror to suggest that we're all set to activate his £16.5m release clause (if you believe the Chronicle's Lee Ryder over the Mirror's John Richardson that is).
He's a handful, a hard worker and a real powerhouse, but I think a few NUFC fans will be glad to hear he's not as close to signing as some are claiming.
That being said, Lee Ryder does suggest that we are interested and the last line of his update is perhaps quite telling. He hints that there's been no progress on that front 'yet', suggesting he could definitely be one to watch?
