Newcastle United are in dire need of a striker this summer and Salomon Rondon from West Brom is available.
West Brom are the first team to be relegated to the EFL Championship this season. Relegation is painful in many aspects for a club as it usually leads to the departure of key players. In the case of West Brom, executives have announced that Salomon Rondon is set to leave the club this summer.
Several teams will be interested in acquiring the Venezuelan international and Newcastle United should be on that list. The Magpies’ greatest area of concern this season has been their inability to score goals.
The goal scoring has improved in recent months, but Newcastle are heavily dependent on goals from midfield. The striking duo of Dwight Gayle and Joselu have only combined for nine goals in 32 matches. Newcastle are hopeful that Islam Slimani will step in and score more goals in the final six matches.
However, the club must focus their attention on a long-term option who can score goals on Newcastle’s front-line. Several strikers across Europe will be available, but Rondon would be a great fit for Newcastle United.
Why Rondon?
Newcastle needs a striker who can create their own opportunity to score and that is a trait Rondon possesses. With a weak midfield core behind him at West Brom, Rondon did all he could this season to attack the goal with minimal support.
Rondon has made 103 appearances in the Premier League and he has accumulated a total of 23 goals and seven assists. Over the course of this season, Rondon has found the back of the net six times.
Scoring six goals this season is not impressive, especially since Dwight Gayle has only scored five goals for Newcastle. However, it is important to note that West Brom have only scored 26 goals as club. With that being said, Rondon has been responsible for roughly one-fourth of his club’s goals.
Another reason why Newcastle should pursue Rondon this summer is his fiscal value. Listed at only £16 million, Rondon would be considered the steal of the transfer window. Too many footballers are sold and purchased for outrageous amounts, so for a mid-table side on the rise, such as Newcastle, to land a quality striker for £16 million is a great deal.
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Final Word
Rondon is an underrated striker who has the capability to score goals in double-digit figures. It was difficult for Rondon to showcase his talent at West Brom, but he has been a top player for his national team. There will be more attractive and expensive options for Newcastle in the summer transfer window, but Rondon is a pure finisher who can have a positive impact on the club.