According to reports in the Daily Mail, Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their bid to sign £15-rated West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon before the January transfer window slams shut after Baggies boss Alan Pardew said he isn't for sale.

What's the word, then?

Well, The Sun reported on Wednesday that the Reds were lining up a shock move for the Venezuela international before the end of the month, with the Merseyside outfit said to be tracking the 28-year-old's progress at the Hawthorns.

The Sun had said that the west Midlands outfit could be tempted to cash in on the centre-forward if they received an offer in excess of £15m before the close of play on Wednesday, as he only has 18 months left on his contract.

However, Pardew has since denied this story and confirmed that his attacker won't be leaving.

What did Pardew say?

According to the Daily Mail, he said: "Salomon has been absolutely brilliant since I've been here. He has been playing terrific football without getting reward in terms of goals.

"That's the next part of the ingredient for him, in my tenure here. Salomon is not part of any deal."

How has Rondon done this season?

The 28-year-old has never been a prolific goalscorer during his time with West Brom – he has 23 goals in 105 appearances for them in total – and it has been the same story for a struggling Baggies side during the current campaign.

The Venezuelan has netted three times and provided one assist in 22 Premier League appearances so far this season, but it his work rate and his ability to cause opposition defenders problems that make him a huge asset for his team.

According to WhoScored.com, Rondon has made 11 key passes in the top flight this season, while he has successfully completed 28 of the 46 dribbles he has attempted, as well as winning 91 of the 216 aerial duels he has faced.

Would he have been a good signing for Liverpool?

It certainly would have been a strange one.

Roberto Firmino is the Reds' first-choice option up top right now, and seeing as he is currently backed up by Danny Ings, Dominic Solanke and Daniel Sturridge, the Venezuelan doesn't really seem to be needed at Anfield.

It certainly wouldn't have been a deal that would have been met with much happiness from the supporters, who will expect a more proven goalscorer in that event.

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