Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful of wrapping up a deal for West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon in the next few days, according to the Chronicle.
The regional newspaper reports on its website that the Magpies are hoping to seal the deal for the Championship frontman following the exit of forward Aleksandar Mitrovic to Fulham.
The Chronicle claim that the Newcastle board have changed their minds over Rondon after initially telling Benitez he did not align with the club’s recruitment policy.
It is said that a potential swap involving Dwight Gayle, which would reduce Rondon’s £16.5million price tag, played a part in the board’s change of heart on the 6″1 (source: Transfermarkt) ace.
OPINION
This is surely the news that Newcastle fans have been hoping to hear – that the club are finally signing a striker. They have been crying out for one in this transfer window, and it seems like they have finally got their wish in the shape of Rondon. Having completed the signing of Yoshinori Muto, the United attack looks promising with a new potential arrival, and their link-up will certainly be an exciting prospect for everyone at the club. Fans were fearing that Benitez would not be able to make any quality signings with a limited amount of money, but he has somehow achieved the difficult task of bringing in some top names with his vast amount of experience. Rondon will bring the best out of Muto and likewise, so it will be interesting to see what Newcastle have in store with these two. At the beginning of the window many would be favouring United for the drop, but that view has definitely changed.
