According to the Chronicle, Salomon Rondon is ‘eager’ to join Newcastle permanently and will give the club extra time to activate his £16.5m release clause this summer.
This comes from a “source close” to the Venezuelan, who has reportedly said that the striker will give us every chance of completing a deal – despite receiving plenty interest from elsewhere.
Interestingly, Lee Ryder also claims that talks with both Wolves and West Ham are “not as advanced as recent reports have suggested”.
So, the situation seems fairly clear – if Rafa stays and the club eventually agree to activate his £16.5m release clause at West Brom, he should re-sign on a permanent deal this summer.
Here’s an extract from the Chronicle’s latest piece on a potential move for the 29-year-old:
Newcastle United will be given every chance to make a permanent move for Salomon Rondon this summer – despite the queue of interested clubs in the striker increasing in recent days.
Turkish giants Fenerbahce are keen on the West Brom star’s services while West Ham and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also considering a punt on the South American at just £16.5million this summer.
Indeed, according to sources close to Rondon, United will get a presentable opportunity to sign him on a permanent basis if they wish.
This is because Rondon loved his 10-month spell at St James’ Park and is still eager to continue wearing the No 9 shirt next season.
But it is clear that Rondon’s most realistic chance of staying on Tyneside is if Rafa Benitez extends his contract.
This is positive to hear, however it will ultimately all come down to A) Benitez signing a new deal and B) the club then agreeing to sanction a deal for a player who falls outside of Mike Ashley’s transfer policy.
That said, it would be absolutely criminal if we looked elsewhere and refused to do a deal for Rondon, but I get the feeling Rafa may be highly reluctant to stay if Ashley and co. are refusing to sanction what should be a no-brainer.
After all, is Rafa ever going to get his way on Tyneside if the club don’t even show desire to sign our player of the season and most influential player of 2018/19?
Nevertheless, let’s hope one of Mike Ashley’s few compromises will be at least to go ahead with a £16.5m move for Rondon – a deal that we’d be crazy to reject, no matter how old he is.
I doubt Ashley will have a say on it – ain’t that fight Sheikh? ?
Bobbybee(Quote)
Make Solomon Rondon are number one player at Newcastle United for ever. Yours Robin ❓
Robin Tait(Quote)
Have just seen a pic of s××t direct signs loaded onto package crates,and bit more than cleaning me thinks ?
Graham(Quote)
Is this the same Lee Ryder who earlier this week claimed that talks with BZG were “not as advanced as recent reports have suggested”. for someone who is supposed to ‘be in the know’ the guy doesn’t seem to know anymore than the average supporter and less than the combined NUFC blogosphere.
Return of the Geordi(Quote)