West Ham Director of Football Mario Husillos has learnt the fixed price he must pay to acquire West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon, according to the Daily Star.
The 72-cap Venezuela international was previously considered to be Manuel Pellegrini’s top summer target alongside Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic, but priorities have since switched to Spain in a bid to usurp Everton in the race for FC Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes.
We are still being linked with a move for the 29-year-old striker, though, as the boss needs Husillos to boost our attack this summer regardless of his efforts in adding quality to the core of the squad.
If one of those forwards will be Rondon, we will have to meet his £16.5million release clause, though, as West Brom do not need to accept a lower bid due to the mounting interest in his services, even with a year to run on his current £60,000-a-week contract.
Newcastle United have openly admitted their intent to retain the Caracas-born centre-forward following a successful year on loan with the Magpies, where he scored twelve goals in all competitions and was accredited with seven assists.
As the leading figure in Rafa Benitez’s attack, he also proved his strengths in influencing the flow of play, with the St James’ Park natives becoming a side reborn following a switch to a three-man attack featuring Rondon, Ayoze Perez and January signing Miguel Almiron.
The North East outfit have only bid at most £12million for Rondon, however, and are not alone in chasing the West Brom-owned attack with us, as Wolverhampton Wanderers are keen to add the 6 ft 1 ace to Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad as they prepare for a run in the Europa League.
