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It’s the not the deal that we were all hoping for but it’s a deal nonetheless. Salomon Rondon has completed his move to Newcastle United from West Bromwich Albion in a season-long loan deal that will see Dwight Gayle moved in the opposite direction.
It’s been the talk of the town for over a month. With Benitez frustrated with his lack of signings, he recently voiced his frustration with the board and how things are going “off the pitch”. This deal may shed some light on the issues going on behind the scenes at St. James as Newcstle United have not made an outright purchase, but merely a loan swap despite Rondon being available for under £20m.
This is also the beginning of the end of Dwight Gayle’s time at Newcastle with him going in the opposite. Despite being prolific for the magpies in the Championship, being the catalyst for the club’s return to the top flight, he only scored six times in over 30 matches for the magpies, showing that he cannot truly manage quality form in the top flight. He will be crucial to West Brom’s fight back to the Premier League.
Rondon in the meantime hasn’t faired much better, scoring only seven last season for West Brom.
We’ll see how this deal holds up in the long run, with there being no obligation or option to buy, we’ll find Gayle back at the club next season, hopefully with an offer from West Brom to take him off our hands. And with any luck, Rondon becomes the striker Rafa believes him to be, helping Newcastle United secure not only safety, but a spot in Europe, where we truly belong.