Why signing Salomon Rondon could be a huge mistake for Newcastle

As per reports, Newcastle United are interested in signing West Brom striker Salomon Rondon.

Rondon, 28, has a £16m release clause in his West Brom contract but Newcastle are unlikely to meet it unless they sell Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Mitrovic, the Serbian striker, has been linked with a move to Fulham for most of the transfer window after helping the Cottagers to Premier League promotion last term. If Premier League newcomers Fulham don’t pay a substantial fee for the 23-year-old, then it seems unlikely Rafael Benitez can finance a move for Rondon.

Benitez has been working on recruiting a striker since the start of the summer transfer window in order to prevent Newcastle United from slipping into a relegation battle in the 2018/19 campaign. Dwight Gayle and Joselu royally failed to impress last season and Mitrovic looks likely to leave for Fulham this summer.

However, the Magpies have completed the £9.5m signing of Japan international Yoshinori Muto, with a work permit yet to arrive. A 26-year-old forward who can play as a central striker or in a wide attacking position, Muto is expected to join Benitez’s forces at Tyneside very soon. But Muto’s arrival does not necessarily end Newcastle’s interest in Rondon, who was relegated with West Brom this past season.

This summer hasn’t been any different for Benitez as he has again been handed a limited budget to work with by owner Mike Ashley. Keeping that in mind, splashing so much money on Rondon could be a big mistake.

Rondon joined West Brom in 2015 and in three seasons at the club, he has never crossed the double-digit figure for goals in the Premier League. There’s no denying Rondon’s talent and although his current side West Brom were ultimately relegated from the Premier League last season, the Venezuelan managed 7 goals.

Becoming a crucial part of a new project on Tyneside would be enticing for Rondon, but 24 goals in 108 appearances for West Brom is far from prolific and will be a big concern if Benitez is looking at a striker who can guarantee 10-15 goals a season.

No doubt Rondon is a tireless runner. He is a hardworking player who is used to feeding on scraps and also possesses great fitness record but his goalscoring record in the Premier League hardly exudes confidence. Simply put, the Venezuela international has not scored on a regular basis to warrant such a fee.

Rondon’s steadfast desire and tenacity on a football pitch is something that cannot be questioned but if Newcastle are to perform better next season, they need a clinical goalscorer.

So signing Rondon could be a blunder by the Magpies and Benitez must avoid it at all costs.