Rafael Benitez is desperate to sign a striker this summer.

The Spaniard has identified attack as an area of improvement this summer after the Magpies struggled for goals. Joselu turned out to be a massive flop with only Ayoze Perez finding the back of the net regularly. Landing a striker capable of netting 15+ goals will be crucial if Newcastle are to finish in a European place next season.

Recent reports suggest that Benitez has made West Brom forward, Salomon Rondon, his top target. Following the Baggies’ relegation to the Championship, the Venezuelan is expected to leave the club. However, West Brom will not lose their star forward on the cheap.

Newcastle are interested in a loan move while West Brom want upwards of £15m. However, the Magpies would be wise to abandon the deal and seek other targets instead.

Valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, the former Zenit St Petersburg forward is not the answer to their problems. Rondon scored just seven Premier League goals in 36 appearances. In his two years in England, he hasn’t managed to net more than eight goals in a season. Granted the service he received at West Brom wasn’t the best but even in Russia, he scored more than ten goals only once.

Newcastle need a striker who can score goals out of nothing and turn a game on its head. Rondon is not that man.

Selling Aleksandr Mitrovic to sign Rondon would be a huge mistake.

Newcastle fans, thoughts?