Express & Star

West Brom braced for Salomon Rondon approach

Albion are bracing themselves for an approach for Salomon Rondon as Newcastle look set to miss out on their top strike target.

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Salomon Rondon. (AMA)

Rafa Benitez wanted Nice striker Alassane Plea, but the Magpies have been put off by the French club’s £27m asking price and Tottenham are now leading the race for his signature.

It means Newcastle are turning their attention back to Rondon, who is available for £16.5m this summer thanks to a relegation release clause in his contract.

The Venezuelan is believed to be happy at Albion, where he has spent his last three years, but the lure of the Premier League is great.

Newcastle’s interest in Rondon, whose release clause makes him vulnerable to an exit, has strengthened Albion position over Jay Rodriguez.

Burnley are keen on both Rodriguez and his Albion team-mate Craig Dawson, and have already had a £25m bid for the pair of them rejected.

Albion are demanding £20m for each of them, leaving negotiations at an impasse right now.

Dawson has handed in an official transfer request in an effort to force a move to the Clarets, and is expected to miss today’s pre-season friendly with Barnet alongside James McClean.

Neither player went on Darren Moore’s pre-season camp to Portugal and there is uncertainty over both of their futures. Sam Field won’t feature today because of a calf strain.