Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon can be a Champions League player, according to Tony Cascarino.
The Venezuelan was on target again at the weekend, firing home a sublime long range free kick against Bournemouth in his side’s 2-2 draw.
That goal brings his tally to the season up to 10 in all competitions, as well as registering five assists.
Writing in his column for The Times, talkSPORT pundit Cascarino has hailed the impact the 29-year-old has had on Tyneside.
He said: “In January last year, Alan Pardew persuaded West Bromwich Albion to turn down £38 million from China for Salomón Rondón.
“If he keeps playing like this, he could be a £50 million striker. There hasn’t been a better signing this season, but he is only on loan at Newcastle.
“If they can make it permanent, they should, because he can be a Champions League player.”
OPINION
Cascarino may have gone a little bit over the top on his valuation of Rondon, but the core of what he is getting at stands up to scrutiny. You would be hard pushed to find any side who were willing to fork out £50 million on a player fast approaching his 30th birthday without any real European competition experience, but that doesn’t mean that Rondon couldn’t cut it at that level. The Venezuelan has been incredible for the Magpies this season, and has probably proven a fair few people wrong in the process. He has dispelled any myth that he is simply a beanpole to be hit with desperate clearances upfield and whipped crosses from out wide, and he has consistently scored a smorgasbord of different goals, ranging from the agricultural to the sublime. His all round game has also been remarkable, and it’s not out of line for Cascarino to argue that he could play for a Champions League club. Hopefully, Newcastle cotton on to that quickly and do everything they can to make him theirs.
