Was ‘Champions League’ standard Rondon really the signing of last summer?

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Tony Cascarino believes that Newcastle loaning in Salomon Rondon was the signing of the summer in the Premier League, as per the Times.

The former Chelsea striker has been effusive with his praise of the target man who is at St James’ Park on loan from West Brom after his weekend display against Bournemouth.

He said: “In January last year, Alan Pardew persuaded West Bromwich Albion to turn down £38million from China for Salomon Rondon.

“If he keeps playing like this, he could be a £50million striker. There hasn’t been a better signing this season. If they can make it permanent, they should because he can be a Champions League player.”

Cascarino’s valuation is clearly skewed by the interest he remembers from China because no English club is even going to come close to spending £50m on a striker who is close to turning 30.

Rondon has done an exceptional job for Rafa Benitez’s side – running the channels willingly, holding the ball up and chipping in with his fair share of goals in a side who don’t make hatfuls of chances.

But the Express and Star report that Rondon has a £16.5m release clause if West Brom don’t get promoted this season, so £50m is way off.

As for being a Champions League player? Rondon lacks the class to score goals regularly at Europe’s top table, in truth.