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West Ham surely in lead for Rondon

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OPINION

West Ham need a striker, it really is that simple.

After a promising start to the transfer window that has seen the Hammers snap up two veteran goalkeepers and creative midfielder Pablo Fornals, the club now need to knuckle down and find a hitman who can lead them into the new season with confidence.

Several names have been touted, but one rumour that has rumbled along on the back burner for some time now has been a potential swoop for Salomon Rondon.

The Venezuelan has been linked with a move to east London for a little while now, as reported by the Northern Echo, and all things considered, he would be a very astute signing.

The £16.5 million fee being quoted by current club West Brom is more than affordable, and on top of that, his stellar season at Newcastle United last term should be more than enough to convince any watching investors of his quality.

Eleven goals in 30 Premier League starts is a very respectable total, especially considering how badly the Magpies struggled for much of last season, but Rondon brings more than just goals to a side.

The South American won an average of 4.6 aerial duels per match last term, and played an average of one key pass per game [Whoscored].

Clearly then, he would be a a versatile and rugged front man, ideally suited to having the creative talents of players like Fornals, Manuel Lanzini, and Marko Arnautovic buzzing in and around him.

And the race for his signature might well have gotten a whole lot easier after developments on Tyneside on Monday.

As confirmed by Newcastle via their official Twitter, manager Rafa Benitez will be leaving the club this summer, and that surely casts doubt over any Toon swoop for Rondon.

As West Ham correspondent Sam Inkersole writes for Football.London: “Now that Benitez is gone though, it could pave the way for the Hammers to re-ignite their interest in the 29-year-old.

“The striker has previously spoken about his future at Newcastle and said that Benitez staying at the club would play an enormous part in that, by now Benitez has gone, it’ll be interesting to see where Rondon goes.”

Quite simply, with the disarray that is sure to reign over St. James’ Park for the foreseeable future, now would be the perfect time for the Hammers to plot a raid for their man.

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