Lee Clark orders Newcastle to sign £16m-rated striker, or lose Rafa Benitez

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Lee Clark has told the Daily Star that Newcastle United have got to sign striker Salomon Rondon on a permanent basis, or lose Rafa Benitez at the end of his contract.

Rondon, 29, has impressed this season on loan at The Toon. He has scored nine goals and created five more in 25 Premier League appearances, helping the Magpies avoid a relegation dog fight.

The Express & Star claim that Rondon could be available for £16.5million this summer. That clause will only become active, though, if the Baggies fail to gain promotion from the Championship.

Former Newcastle midfielder Clark has urged Newcastle to complete a deal for the Venezuela international. But he also suggested that if Rondon does not sign, then The Toon can wave goodbye to manager Benitez.

“If Rafa isn’t allowed to sign Rondon outright, I dread to think what will happen,” Clark said. “Newcastle would be back to square one. Is £16m a lot of money for a player of his age? In today’s market, it’s nothing.

“Good strikers are like gold dust and Rondon’s already proved to be a big success at Newcastle. I was fortunate enough to play with Les Ferdinand and Rondon reminds me of him. They’re both swashbuckling centre forwards.”

TBR’s view

Rondon is crucial to how Newcastle play. Clark is absolutely spot on, if the ex-Zenit St. Petersburg and Malaga forward does not remain on Tyneside then Newcastle will be losing perhaps their most important player.

He showed during the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth that he has everything in his locker. His 25-yard free-kick surprised many, given that he is a physical striker that is good in the air.

Keeping him – for any price – is crucial for Newcastle and indeed for Benitez, whose contract ends this summer.