Paul Merson subtly suggested that West Ham make a move to sign Salomon Rondon with Andy Carroll looking likely to exit.
The Sky Sports pundit raved about the 29-year-old attacker’s ability and claimed that he would tick the box for the Hammers if Carroll was no longer set to be at the London Stadium.
“They haven’t signed Rondon and this Rondon situation could get a bit like Jimenez at Wolves as they could be sitting back thinking y’know what we can get him a lot cheaper then bang, you hear a couple of whispers that another couple of clubs after him and they go we will buy him now,” said Merson on Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports News, April 13th, 12:09).
“I think that could be the case with Rondon, as if you’re a team coming up then you’d take him tomorrow morning cause he will give you everything, he’ll hold the ball up and he’s a handful.
“I mean…talking about Carroll not being at West Ham, I mean he ticks the box for West Ham.”
The Daily Mail previously reported that Carroll’s Hammers career was over as he was unlikely to be offered a new contract after being ruled out for the season after having ankle surgery.
OPINION
Rondon, who stands at 6ft 1in tall (Source: Transfermarkt), could easily fill Carroll’s shoes at the London Stadium based on his form this season. The forward has scored 10 goals, while assisting five this season, while on loan at the Magpies and looks capable of leading the line for most sides in the Premier League. With West Bromwich Albion looking uncertain to win promotion from the Championship this season, it does seem likely that Rondon will be on the move. You’d have to think Newcastle has an advantage when it comes to get the 29-year-old’s services as he seems settled at St James Park, but Magpies owner Mike Ashley has more often than not avoided splashing the cash. This means there is an opportunity for the Hammers to sneak in and grab Rondon for themselves, and Merson is probably right to suggest it’d be a good deal for the London club.
