According to reports in The Mirror, West Bromwich Albion are said to be open to the idea of selling striker Salomon Rondon this summer if they receive any decent offers.
The Mirror says that the Baggies rejected a bid of £32.2m from Chinese Super League side Tianjin Quanjian for the centre-forward during the January transfer window as they didn’t have enough attacking options, but they have already signed Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez this summer.
That deal could mean that Tony Pulis is ready to let the 27-year-old leave, and it is news that may have alerted West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic.
The Irons boss is keen to sign at least one new striker before the start of the new season with continued doubts over the fitness of Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakho, and it would be a bonus if he was able to bring one in that has Premier League experience.
Rondon certainly ticks that box having spent two seasons in the English top flight, and he could be ready for a new challenge at this level.
Here are three reasons West Ham should make a move for Rondon…
Goals
It can be hard to adapt to the Premier League when you are playing in it for the first time, but Rondon’s return of nine goals in 34 top flight matches in his debut season in England was relatively impressive.
The 27-year-old looked set to better that record last term after netting seven in the first-half of the campaign – including a hat-trick of headers against Swansea City – but he scored just once more after the speculation linking him with a move to China, and as West Brom’s strong early season form dropped off.
With all due respect to the Baggies, it isn’t the easiest club to play up top on your own at and Rondon has certainly done an admirable job of leading the line and doing his fair amount of chasing the ball in the last two years, and he would make an impact for West Ham.
Style of play
If West Ham are looking for a tall and physical striker to potentially replace Carroll, then there won’t be many better or available options on the market than Rondon.
The 27-year-old has become used to battling with defenders, holding the ball up and bringing his teammates into play, and he won 101 aerial duels in 38 Premier League appearances last season.
However, he isn’t just a threat in the air and he has shown that he has some ability with his feet too by successfully completing 27 take-ons.
The Venezuela international would also prove to be useful from a defensive point of view for the Irons having made 40 clearances for the Baggies last term.
Price tag
With West Brom seemingly keen to sell Rondon having signed him on a £70,000-a-week deal for £12m two years ago, you would think that he could be purchased for under £20m this summer if he wants out.
That is certainly an affordable fee for the Irons as they look to strengthen their squad this summer, and as we alluded to previously the 27-year-old is probably a more realistic and affordable target than the likes of Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud and Bayer Leverkusen’s Javier Hernandez, while he should be entering the prime years of his career.
Do you agree, Irons fans? Let us know below.