West Ham are in the hunt to sign Salomon Rondon as they’re ready to step in if Newcastle United don’t agree a permanent deal for him in the summer, according to the Northern Echo.
The regional newspaper claim that the Hammers have identified the 29-year-old forward, who has 72 caps for Venezuela, as a potential leading target amid doubts the Magpies won’t successfully turn his loan deal into a permanent transfer.
The Northern Echo report that Rondon is likely to request a three-year deal if he departs West Bromwich Albion in the next transfer window and that is something Mike Ashley may be reluctant to hand him.
The newspaper adds that the Hammers board would be much more willing to offer the attacker a long-term deal as they have previously recruited a number of players in his age bracket.
The Daily Star previously reported that there is an agreement in place for the WBA attacker to join any interested club for £16.5million, if the Baggies don’t win promotion this season.
OPINION
West Ham swooping for Rondon would make a lot of sense. The forward has been involved in 15 goals in his 2018/19 campaign for the Magpies as he has scored 10, while assisting five. Rondon has looked in the best form of his career under Rafa Benitez and there’s no reason to suggest that he couldn’t keep submitting good performances if playing under Manuel Pellegrini instead. Also given that the Baggies look set to be in the Championship play-offs, and it’s hard to predict those, Rondon may end up costing £16.5million and that’s a bargain considering his form this season. The Hammers definitely need to welcome new attacking options in the summer and given that Rondon has proven he can score goals in England’s top-flight, there are few better options for them to take. The Magpies’ owner may be worried about the forward turning 30 in September but the Hammers should rest assured that Rondon has plenty left in the tank.
