The Newcastle United supporters in the Transfer Tavern are eager to see a new striker arrive at the club this summer, but there is reason to suggest Rafa Benitez will not need to look too far in his search for a prolific goalscorer.
According to a recent report from The Sun, Benitez has identified West Bromwich Albion’s Solomon Rondon as a player he wants to sign this summer and he is hoping to convince Lee Charnley to sanction a deal for his services. The same report claims that Rondon will be available for £16 million following relegation with the Baggies, which is probably more than he is worth even in the current market.
Considering Rondon has struggled to establish himself as a regular goalscorer in his 3 years with the club so far, signing the Venezuela international would represent something of a backwards move for the Magpies. With that being said, Benitez should instead offer a lifeline to Aleksandr Mitrovic (valued at £7.2 million by Transfermarkt) and attempt to incorporate him into the starting eleven, as his form with Fulham during a loan spell last season suggests he has turned a significant corner in his development.
After completing a deadline day transfer, Mitrovic played an instrumental role in the Cottagers’ successful promotion charge by notching 12 goals from 17 Championship appearances, proving that he can thrive within the right tactical system. Mitrovic played as a lone-striker for the majority of his loan spell, and Benitez’s preference to operate with just 1 centre-forward should convince him that the Serbia international is up to the task of leading the line at Newcastle.
With the World Cup set to get underway on Thursday, Benitez should be keeping tabs on his progress on the international stage as a positive tournament could be enough to convince the Spaniard to reinstall him into the first-team squad. Alternatively, interest from outside the club could drive Mitrovic’s price-tag up and convince Newcastle to sell, but that seems rather nonsensical considering Benitez only has Dwight Gayle and Joselu to chose from at centre-forward.
The obvious solution to Newcastle’s goal-scoring woes is staring Benitez in the face and, regardless of the personal differences between the two, the slate should be wiped clean this summer ahead of the new season which Mitrovic has the potential to play a starring role in.
Newcastle fans – thoughts? Let us know below!
