Rafa Benitez has completed the signing of Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon on a season-long loan deal from West Brom; the swap deal will see Dwight Gayle travel in the other direction also on loan, as reported by BBC Sport.
Benitez who recently reiterated his desire to bolster his attacking options said: “I am delighted to sign Salomon, we were looking for options up front, we knew how important experience would be”.
Rondon made 32 Premier League appearances for West Brom last season scoring seven times but was helpless to prevent The Baggies from relegation to the Championship. The 28-year-old striker has become Newcastle’s sixth signing of the transfer window.
Gayle wasn’t able to replicate his previously outstanding championship form during the last campaign and only managed six goals for The Magpies. However, West Brom head coach Darren Moore said the deal was “in the interest of both clubs” as “Dwight is a proven goalscorer in the Championship”. The Englishman will hope Gayle’s pace in behind defences can fire West Brom back to the Premier League.
Written by Harvey Sayer.
