Premier League side Everton are considering hijacking Newcastle United’s mooted summer move for on loan star Salomon Rondon, according to the Daily Star.
The newspaper claims that the Toffees are looking at the big Venezuelan, on loan at St James’ Park from West Brom, to solve their striking difficulties, with neither Cenk Tosun nor Dominic Calvert-Lewin fully convincing this season.
The Magpies are said to want to keep the 29-year-old on board and the player’s wish is to remain at St James’ Park, but if Rafael Benitez, who is desperate to keep the South American, leaves or isn’t given the £16million to make the deal permanent, then Marco Silva’s side could swoop in.
This represents a nightmare scenario for both Benitez and the Newcastle supporters. The Baggies loanee has impressed massively on Tyneside, with 10 goals and five assists in all competitions this term.
OPINION
This is the last thing that Newcastle fans would want to be reading. Rondon’s influence on the Magpies team this season goes beyond the mere number of goals and assists he’s claimed, he’s been a catalyst for everything positive that the side has done on the pitch. He is vitally important to the way that Newcastle play, providing the combination of physicality and technique that has been evident in many great Magpies frontmen over the years. Obviously Benitez is a big fan of Rondon and wants to keep him in the North East, but the two men’s futures at the club are inextricably linked. If the Spaniard leaves in the summer then it’s highly doubtful that Rondon will be brought back for another spell at St James’ Park. Even if Benitez remains, the club might not give him £16million to spend on a 29-year-old, leaving the door open for Everton to steal Rondon away. This is a concerning update for Newcastle fans, that’s for sure.
