West Brom striker Salomon Rondon has arrived in the north east to seal a summer switch to Newcastle United in the final week of the transfer window, according to journalist Lee Ryder.
The Chronicle writer claims on his personal Twitter account that the 6’1″ (source: Transfermarkt) Venezuelan hitman has travelled from the midlands to the Tyne and Wear region ahead of a prospective move to St James’ Park, which is expected to be a season-long loan from the Baggies.
Rondon is understood to be on Tyneside to complete his move to #nufc – not done yet though.
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) August 5, 2018
Rondon was relegated with West Brom last season but appears to be close to returning to the the top flight with the Magpies.
Good move for Newcastle?
With the lack of attacking threat shown by Rafael Benitez’s men last season, there will be hope that Rondon can offer something different.
He is much more physical than the likes of Dwight Gayle, Joselu or new arrival Yoshinori Muto, so he will be trying to pose a threat as a target man.
It all depends on whether he can hit double figures with the supply offered by the likes of Kenedy and Matt Ritchie as to whether a loan move is considered a success – if not, he could fall into the category of failed loans, joining the likes of Islam Slimani and Seydou Doumbia.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
This seems almost done and dusted, but Rafael Benitez will have to throw him into the deep end if he is to start against Tottenham next weekend, with just a week of preparation under his belt.
The only thing that might stop this is Dwight Gayle rejecting a move to West Brom in the opposite direction, but considering how far this has gone already it seems that scenario is unlikely.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10