Wolves Opinion: Why Wolves must avoid signing Salomon Rondon?

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Wolverhampton Wanderers have made an enquiry to West Brom about signing Salomon Rondon, as they look to beat Newcastle United to the Venezuelan striker.

Salomon Rondon, 29, who has enjoyed a fantastic time on loan at Newcastle, has a £16.5m buy-out clause. The Magpies boss Rafael Benitez wants to keep the centre-forward, but it remains to be seen whether owner Mike Ashley would loosen his purse strings for a player who will turn 30 later this year.

Wolves appear to be interested in the Venezuela international, who finished the season with 11 goals and seven assists for Newcastle and has one year left on his West Brom contract. Rondon certainly won’t be ready to play in the Championship, so the Baggies have to sell him this summer rather losing him for free in 2020.

That being said, should Wolves pay Rondon’s buyout clause and sign him this summer?

Rondon had a brilliant campaign at Newcastle under Benitez where he certainly surpassed the expectations of the fans.

His hold-up play and ability to link up with the likes of Ayoze Perez, Christian Atsu and others were truly fantastic. In a defensive system employed by Benitez, the 29-year-old delivered 11 goals and seven assists which by no means is a fantastic return.

But as far as Wolves are concerned, they already have their target man in Raul Jimenez. Jimenez initially joined Wolves in the summer on-loan from Benfica before making his move permanent in April for a club record fee of £30million.

The Mexican supplied with 13 goals and seven assists in his debut season in England, playing a crucial role in guiding Wolves to a top-seven finish.

After earning promotion from the Championship last season, Nuno Espirito Santo has continued his brilliant work at the Molineux. The Portuguese manager recruited smartly last summer and is expected to be backed again by the club in the transfer window.

With Europa League football a big possibility next season, the 45-year-old will be fully aware that he needs to add depth to his squad.

Nuno’s priority has to be bringing in a back-up to Jimenez for next season. Diogo Jota has performed very well alongside Jimenez up front; yet, Wolves require more firepower if they are to break into the top six in the 2019/20 campaign. And for that, Nuno must avoid signing Rondon.

Verdict

£16.5million may be a bargain for a player of Rondon’s goalscoring ability in the Premier League, but Wolves, whose ambitions lie in breaking into the top-six, must ignore it.

Plus, one cannot say whether the Venezuelan will be ready for a rotational role with Jimenez or not.

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Thus, Nuno should dodge the Rondon bullet and target a different player to act as a back-up to Jimenez.