Hammers eye Albion striker

  • by Staff Writer
  • Tuesday, 21st May 2019

West Ham are hot favourites to complete the capture of West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon - even though Newcastle are hoping to permanently sign the Venezuelan international.

Rondon, 29, scored 11 times for the Magpies last season having moved to Tyneside on a season-long loan following the Baggies' relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2017/18 season.

As a result, he became something of a fans' favourite at St James' Park and a player whom the vast majority of supporters would like to retain, even though that would require his £16.5million release clause being triggered - something that Newcastle baulked at previously.

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"His first touch is superb," wrote Newcastle fan wykikitoon. "His hold up play and how he gets others involved has been brilliant. He's a total grafter. If this was one of the players from the 'big six' he would be on the front page of the rags."

However the general consensus amongst United supporters is that owner Mike Ashley is unlikely to fork out a considerable transfer fee for a player approaching 30 - something that has never proven an issue where West Ham, under the current owners, are concerned.

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"Getting a player of his calibre in the current market for £16.5m is good business but Ashley isn’t paying that for a 29 year old," wrote fellow supporter Howay. "Even if he agrees to it, it’ll be intentionally dragged out so by the time we get close to agreeing a fee he’ll be signing for another Premier League side."

West Ham are understood to have taken a closer look at Rondon - who is reported to earn in the region of £60k-per-week - following the very predictable news that the club's interest in Celta Vigo's Maxi Gomez had ended.

The Hammers are said to be unwilling to meet the Spanish club's £40m+ valuation of the young striker, who scored 13 goals for a struggling side in La Liga and is also interesting clubs such as Arsenal and Barcelona.

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