OPINION
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley must feel embarrassed as Phil Thompson, Jeff Stelling and Paul Merson all waxed lyrical about Salomon Rondon.
Stelling got the ball rolling as the Sky Sports presenter brought up the subject of the 29-year-old and claimed you’d bite West Bromwich Albion’s hand off to get him when you realised he’d cost £16.5million.
“I mean let’s touch on Salomon Rondon, the buyout clause for Rondon is £16.5million, you would bite their hand off wouldn’t you?” said Stelling on Soccer Saturday (March 30th, Sky Sports News, 13:11).
Merson responded to share he’d have bought him already and even dubbed him the best player currently playing at St James’ Park which says it all.
“I’d have bought him already, I think he is a major player for them already, he is their best player if I’m being honest, he is a handful, I mean look at his free-kick, I couldn’t believe it,” said Merson.
Thompson then piped up to mention Ashley’s stance and practically urged the club to sanction a deal for the forward given his price tag.
“The club were saying he’s 30 and you don’t want to commit to that, and you’re thinking come on, you gotta have a little bit of blend,” stated Thompson.
“This fella has taken to the club, the club have taken to him and you just think you need blend, you have to sanction a deal for 16 and a half million.”
The Daily Star reported that Ashley was reluctant to sign off on a deal for Rondon due to him turning 30-years-old in September and given the remarks of the high-profile Sky pundits above he has to be feeling a little silly.
It seems everyone bar the Magpies owner realises that signing Rondon from West Brom would be a tremendous bit of business as it’s a deal he should be eager to get done.
Rondon has scored 10 goals and assisted five this season for the Magpies and Thompson, Merson as well as Stelling are right to suggest £16.5million is practically a bargain price to pay in today’s market.
