A section of Newcastle United fans have been left fuming after it was reported that they are lining up an approach for West Brom forward Salomon Rondon this summer.
The Express and Star has claimed on Saturday morning that the Magpies have missed out on top target Alassane Plea, with Tottenham now in pole position to sign the £27million-rated Nice striker.
That has meant Newcastle will set their sights on Venezuela international Rondon, whose £16.5million release clause was triggered when the Baggies were relegated from the Premier League last season.
Some Newcastle fans have been left raging over this reported development in Rafa Benitez’s search for a new forward, with one claiming that Rondon is a “downgrade” from Aleksandar Mitrovic.
This is Futbol has rounded up some of their best tweets:
Sell a striker for £20m, replace him for a £16.5m relegated striker. Downgrade from Mitro if you ask me
— MP99 (@MPyoung99) July 7, 2018
https://twitter.com/Trevor12Cameron/status/1015525326179299329
https://twitter.com/aarongittins2/status/1015509828075163649
https://twitter.com/gizbyker1/status/1015498787052314624
Can’t believe we are even considering him for £16.5 mil, worth £6-8 mil max.
— David Armstrong (@Arma1990) July 7, 2018
hope not
— nEwCaStLe fOr LiFe (@77_SH_ER) July 7, 2018
I’d rather get Chadli for £17million than rondon..
— Jon Ewing (@TheEwing9) July 7, 2018
OPINION
These Newcastle fans must realise that West Brom will not sell Rondon for any cheaper than his £16.5million release clause and that a top striker that they want the club to sign is going to cost upwards of £30million. Rondon is not that bad. He has not got the best goalscoring record but he can do a good job of helping bring other attack-minded players into play. You could certainly see him combining well with Ayoze Perez if the attack keeps up his form from the end of last season because of his strength on the ball. Newcastle fans should not expect him to be too good in the air though, with Rondon definitely preferring the ball to come to him at his feet.