Newcastle United are close to completing a deal to loan Salomon Rondon from West Bromwich Albion while sending Dwight Gayle in the other direction, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster’s live transfer blog (Sunday, 19:42) states that Magpies and the Championship side had agreed a season-long swap deal involving Rondon and Gayle with the Magpies also paying a £2million loan fee.
Sky Sports report that Rondon was in Tyneside trying to complete his move to Rafa Benitez’s side while Gayle was in the Midlands trying to secure his exit from St James Park.
Sky Sports journalist reporter Keith Downie claimed, via his Twitter account, on Sunday evening that Rondon had completed his medical and could seal his move to the Magpies on Monday (Today).
Salomon Rondon should complete his season-long loan to Newcastle tomorrow after taking his medical today.
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) August 5, 2018
OPINION
It’s time to break out the welcome banners for Rondon as this move is on the verge of being completed based on the latest reports. After the Magpies looked like previously missing out on the 28-year-old forward, it seems Benitez has successfully got his man. Rondon will hopefully provide a fantastic boost to the Magpies’ current attacking options as the club struggled to regularly convert their chances last season. However it’s worth noting that it is sad to see Gayle look likely to depart the club as the work he has put in at the Magpies shouldn’t be underrated. While the English forward turned out not to be a prolific finisher in the Premier League last season hopefully he will be back among the goals with WBA in the Championship. When he featured in that league with the Magpies, there was no stopping him and he does deserve all the success in the world after helping Benitez’s team successfully escape England’s second-tier.
