OPINION
With West Brom striker Salomon Rondon reportedly Newcastle United’s top target this summer, the Baggies must ask for Dwight Gayle in return.
As reported by Chronicle Live, Baggies striker Rondon is the Magpies top summer transfer target and that a deal is edging closer after they had a loan deal rejected by the Midlands club.
It is understood that West Brom value the Venezuelan at £16.5million, which is the striker’s release clause.
Darren Moore’s side must use this interest to their advantage and suggest that they receive Toon striker Dwight Gayle in return. With Newcastle seemingly hesitant to pay the reported fee, including Gayle would reduce that fee significantly and would benefit both parties.
Albion need a striker who is a Championship specialist, someone who has a proven goalscoring record in the division and someone who can fire them back up to the Premier League. As it happens, the 27-year-old is just that.
The Englishman’s Premier League record is quite poor, having scored only 21 goals in 99 appearances in the top-tier of English football. However, he is absolutely lethal in the second-tier having scored 36 goals in 61 games at that level. He is a Championship goal machine.
It’s a fantastic record as he averages better than a goal every two games, which is just what the club need this season.
Rafael Benitez’s side clearly want Rondon to improve their attacking options, which means that there’s no reason why they would want to keep Gayle should they eventually get their man, making his available to join The Hawthorns.
It’s a win-win situation for everyone, each club gets a striker who improves their team and it also benefits both financially. Albion can get rid of Rondon’s big wage whilst receiving a replacement and Newcastle get their man at a decent price.
West Brom need to insist on Newcastle including Gayle in any Rondon transfer because he could be the key to Championship promotion.