OPINION
It is safe to say that Salomon Rondon has basically saved Newcastle United’s skins this season.
He may not be the most prolific of forwards – his ten goals this term are evidence of that – but without him, the Magpies would have had to survive on lumping the ball up to Joselu, a player who has been practically been non-existent of late.
If they had to survive the campaign relying on the likes of Joselu, then it would not take an expert to work out that they would be a lot more involved in the relegation battle than they already are. Joselu does not score goals, and he would have dragged the whole team down with him.
Rondon is only on loan from West Brom though, and the one problem that has persisted recently is whether United are going to sign him on a permanent basis. Obviously, the supporters would love the 29-year-old to stay at the club, but that all depends on their temperamental owner Mike Ashley.
Well, some of the fans may want to cover their ears in the light of an update from Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder. According to the newspaper’s live blog [9.19am], “the noises coming [out of the club] aren’t great” in terms of a permanent transfer from the Baggies.
They go on to say that Newcastle are not keen on paying the clauses in order to secure his services, and this is no doubt something that the fans will surely dread to hear.
Yes, he may be approaching the age of 30-years-old, and that may be a risk. However, his impact has been crucial this term, and to lose him after the contribution he has made would be a rather major mistake.
Rafa Benitez no doubt wants Rondon to stay if he too secures his future on Tyneside, as the player has been pivotal in getting Newcastle in the superior position that they are in now. He will also not be pleased to hear that things are not looking great on that front, as he knows first hand what an impact the Venezuela international has made.
