Newcastle United are on the brink of securing a loan-to-buy deal for West Brom striker Salomon Rondon and hope to finalise a move today (Monday, 30 July), according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claim on their website that the Magpies have made progress in talks with the Baggies over securing a season-long temporary deal for the Venezuelan hitman, with Dwight Gayle set to head in the opposite direction as part of the agreement.
It is stated that both players want there to be permanent sale clauses included in the deal, meaning that the clubs would have the option of purchasing the player outright during or after their loan spell.
Good move for Newcastle?
It is an experimental move, but one which should come off with some success.
Rondon has experience of the Premier League but has never been prolific, while the same can be said about Gayle after his stints in the top flight.
The West Brom man is much more of a target man whereas Newcastle’s forward is a poacher of goals, although found his scoring touch deserting him for much of last season.
Having that powerful presence up top could transform the Magpies’ attack and make them a more formidable threat to opposition defences, having looked particularly lacklustre during the last campaign.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
It seems as though both clubs and players are open to the move, and that it could well be done imminently.
Newcastle have been crying out for a striker this summer and after securing the capture of Yoshinori Muto earlier this week, Rondon’s arrival should help strengthen the attacking line up even more.
This is Futbol rating: 8.5/10