OPINION
Newcastle United must attempt to sign Edin Dzeko from Roma in the summer amid worries over Salomon Rondon’s long-term future at St James’ Park.
Rondon, 29, has been in superb form since joining the Magpies on loan from West Brom last year, scoring eight goals in 24 appearances across all competitions for Rafa Benitez’s side.
However an update by the Newcastle Chronicle on Wednesday suggests that the Tyneside club could struggle to sign the popular Venezuela international on a permanent basis once his loan deal expires.
It is understood that Newcastle are struggling to agree a fee with West Brom and once Rondon returns to The Hawthorns, a release clause worth £16.5million will become active.
That means that the door could be open for other clubs to beat United to the ex-Malaga target man, so it is time that Newcastle start to look at potential alternatives instead.
Former Manchester City striker Dzeko would be a superb replacement for Rondon if Newcastle fail to sign the South American from West Brom.
Dzeko may be 32-years-old, but his form in Italy proves that he still has an eye for goal, having netted 12 goals in 28 appearances across all competitions for Roma this season.
Calcio Mercato has reported that the Bosnia and Herzegovina international could be on the move this summer as well with West Ham, Everton and Crystal Palace all interested in signing him.
It is understood that Roma want to get rid of the striker because he will be entering the final year of his £75,000-a-week deal and they will demand a fee worth just £12.9million.
Dzeko would be a much cheaper option than Rondon and he has been more prolific in his career than the Baggies man.
During his time at Man City, Dzeko won two Premier League titles and scored 72 goals in 189 total appearances.
Those numbers cannot be ignored and even though he turns 33 later this month, it is clear that he could be quite the bargain that Mike Ashley would be happy to pay for.
Obviously Newcastle should try to sign Rondon first and foremost, but if West Brom prove tricky to deal with, signing Dzeko instead could be a blinder of a deal by the Magpies.