Respected journalist Lee Ryder has delivered some disconcerting news regarding Newcastle’s pursuit of West Brom striker Salomon Rondon.
The Chronicle’s chief Newcastle writer tweeted on his personal Twitter account that the Venezuelan’s release clause may have now expired.
Suggestions now from West Brom that Rondon’s release clause has now expired. #nufc #wba
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) August 2, 2018
The Magpies have been heavily liked with the West Brom attacker for some time now, but no agreement between the two clubs has been forthcoming thus far.
With Rondon’s release clause now expired, any hope that Newcastle fans had of the 28-year-old arriving at St James’s Park this window may have been extinguished, with West Brom able to demand an even bigger fee for him.
OPINION
This is troubling news for Newcastle supporters, that’s for sure. The sale of Aleksandar Mitrovic to Fulham last week was expected to free up funds and space for Rafael Benitez to bring in a new striker. That, however, is yet to materialise. The Rondon deal has dragged on for some time now, with the idea of Dwight Gayle as a makeweight seemingly dead. If the Magpies were unable to get a deal done while Rondon had a release clause, how can they be expected to bring the Venezuelan in now it’s expired? Sure, it’s possible that the two teams will come to an arrangement, but will the club now be forced to overspend because they took too long getting this transfer done? It’s worrying times for the club, with Benitez launching a scathing attack on the board following the team’s 4-0 pre season defeat to Braga. There seems to be no confidence in the manager that the signings he wants will be delivered before the window shuts, and who can blame him for his cynicism?
