Salomon Rondon during his loan spell at Newcastle from West Brom last season. (Getty Images)
As reported by the Chronicle Live, former Newcastle United striker Salomon Rondon has said that he would welcome a return to St. James’ Park in January if the chance presented itself.
The Venezuelan striker had a one-year loan spell at the club back in 2018-19. But, he wasn’t signed on a permanent basis. However, the striker has now indicated that he would be open to a return in the winter transfer window, should an opportunity present itself. (h/t Chronicle Live)
Salomon Rondon is a 31-year-old Venezuelan forward who plays for Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional. He started his youth career at San Jose de Calasanz in 1996 before moving to Deportivo Gulima after eight years. Finally he settled in at Aragua FC in 2005 and started playing for their youth sides.
After three years at the club, he made the switch to Spanish outfit UD Las Palmas. In 47 appearances for them, he scored 12 goals. Two seasons later, he moved to fellow La Liga side Malaga. 72 appearances and 27 goals later, he moved to Russia joining Rubin Kazan in 2012.
He had a prolific spell there but was again on the move within a season and half to Zenit St. Petersburg. A similar spell followed before West Brom signed him in 2015. This was his longest stint at any of the clubs he played for so far. His stats for West Brom read as 120 games, 28 goals and 10 assists (h/t Transfermarkt).
He was loaned out to Newcastle in 2018 and on his return, sold to Dalian Pro last season. A veteran of the national team, he has 81 caps and 30 goals to his name for Venezuela.
Newcastle signed Callum Wilson from Bournemouth recently and he has been in good form for them so far. The club do have quite a few strikers on their books such as Andy Carroll, Dwight Gayle and last season’s recruit Joelinton.
However, Joelinton’s signing has not worked out so far as the Brazilian has struggled to get goals during his time at St. James’ Park.
Rondon, on the other hand, was quite prolific during his spell at St. James Park. In 33 games, he scored 12 and assisted 7. More than anything, he provided a strong presence at the top of the attack with his strength and holdup play. And he has continued impressing in China, racking up 14 goals in 26 appearances so far.
Newcastle should, thus, try to get the Venezuelan hitman in January if possible. He will provide a different style of play as compared to Dwight Gayle or Callum Wilson.
Rondon is a proven quantity in the Premier League and has tasted success at Newcastle in the past. With Joelinton not living up to the expectations and given Carroll’s injury record, bringing him back in the January transfer window would be a smart move by the Magpies.
