West Brom want cash and Dwight Gayle for Salomon Rondon
Albion will demand a sweetener from Newcastle if the Premier League side approach them with an offer to make Salomon Rondon’s swap deal with Dwight Gayle a permanent one.
Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has left the door open for a permanent deal for Rondon next month after the Venezuelan notched his fifth goal of the season in a 1-0 win over Huddersfield.
The Magpies are unlikely to sign the 29-year-old outright while owner Mike Ashley is trying to sell the club, and they baulked at his £16.5million release clause in the summer, which has now timed out.
But if they approach Albion with an offer to make Rondon’s loan swap with Gayle a permanent one, the Baggies will demand cash on top of the deal.
Rondon, whose Albion contract runs out in 2020, has made an impressive start to life in the North East, scoring five goals in his first 13 appearances for Newcastle.
Gayle has been similarly impressive for Albion, and has already reached double figures this season, but the Baggies believe Rondon’s Premier League experience strengthens their negotiating position.
Newcastle, who have agreed to pay a portion of Gayle's wages this season, are reportedly looking into signing Rondon permanently in January in order to free up a loan spot.
Benitez is open to the idea but not desperate. “It will be fine,” he said, when asked if Rondon would join permanently.
“Hopefully he can start scoring a lot of goals, and then you can ask me this in a few weeks and hopefully it can be positive then, too.
“I am happy with him, but still he can improve. I think he is doing a great job for the team, but we maybe have to support him a little bit more.
“If he has more support, if he has more crosses and passes into him, then he will score more goals because he can do it.
“Anyone can do it if you give them more assists, but I think with Salomon, if the team puts the ball in the right position then he will also be on the end of the crosses, or at the end of the passes.”
Five goals from his first 13 games represents Rondon’s best start to a season in English football, and his form has impressed onlookers.
Garth Crooks said: “Provide him with a chance to score goals, a little bit of quality service, and he will be the difference.
“A much fitter Rondon is not only leading the line effectively for Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle, but is looking a real goal threat upfront.
“Benitez is performing miracles again with these players.”
