West Brom reveal price tag for Salomon Rondon

West Brom have revealed their price tag for Salomon Rondon. Rafa Benitez can only hope that Mike Ashley decides to match it.

Salomon Rondon’s name popped up in several reports yesterday as West Brom have reportedly maintained their asking price of £16million for the Venezuelan international. Rafa Benitez was left frustrated last summer as he had to wait two months for a loan-swap deal to be completed. Some would have assumed that Dwight Gayle’s positive form as a loanee at West Brom would have convinced the Baggies to lower their asking price for Rondon, but that does not seem to be the case so far.

Rondon has played well for Newcastle this season and his numbers would be even better if he was not sidelined with an injury for one month early in the season. Since his full recovery, Rondon has managed to score six goals and bag three assists in 20 Premier League appearances for the Magpies. With 12 games remaining on the schedule, Rondon still has plenty of time to break into double-figures in terms of scoring goals.

Now that Miguel Almiron has joined Newcastle, it will be interesting to see how dangerous Rondon can be in front of goal. Over the course of his career in England, the Venezuelan frontman has never had a playmaker who can set him up with clean passes to get a high percentage shot off in the penalty area. Almiron still needs time to adjust to English football, but his pace and superior passing skills will only benefit Rondon and Newcastle.

Even before Almiron’s arrival, Benitez made it clear that he wanted Rondon on a permanent basis, and if the duo of Rondon and Almiron can form a strong partnership then it only makes sense for Rondon to be the club’s top priority in the summer. That being said, however, Mike Ashley is hesitant about signing players aged 30 years or more, and this could pose a problem.

There are two ways to avoid that issue from ever occurring, though. Firstly, Rondon needs to score in double figures, around 10 to 12 goals, to show that he can be a reliable striker despite turning 30-years-old in a few months. Secondly, Newcastle need to find a way to utilize Gayle’s amazing form in the Championship to their advantage and offer him in a deal for Rondon to lower the asking price.

Keep Rondon on Tyneside

My vote is to sign Rondon immediately. The only flaw about his game is his pace on the ball, but he makes up for it with his aggression, shooting precision, good passing and his ability to hold the ball up while waiting for support. Rondon is a good fit for Newcastle and £16million is a cheap price for a striker in today’s market, especially one who can score with both feet and  headers.