Newcastle United have been strongly linked with a move for West Bromwich Albion's Salomon Rondon this summer, and the Magpies must ensure that they win the race for the centre-forward ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

What's the story?

Rondon will leave West Brom this summer following his club’s relegation to the Championship last season, and it is understood that the striker has a £16m release clause in his contract.

The Venezuela international managed 10 goals in 40 appearances for West Brom last term – including seven in 36 Premier League matches, which is an impressive total when considering his team’s struggles throughout the campaign.

West Ham United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with Rondon, but according to TEAMtalk, Newcastle are in a strong position to complete a deal.

The report claims that the Magpies could actually sign Rondon for £4m on an initial loan, before paying £15m next summer to make the move permanent.

It does seem to be a strange one, and Rafael Benitez's side face the possibility of missing out on the 28-year-old when considering the interest in his services.

Why Newcastle have to sign Rondon

It does seem quite incredible that Newcastle's transfer record still stands at the £17m that they paid Real Madrid for Michael Owen in 2005.

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Kenedy and Ki Sung-yueng have both arrived at St James' Park this summer, but the former came on loan from Chelsea, whilst the latter was a free agent.

Magpies boss Benitez recently admitted that he would have to sell before he could buy this summer, but Aleksandar Mitrovic is nearing the exit, and 6ft 1in ace Rondon would be the perfect replacement in the final third of the field.

Dwight Gayle and Joselu only scored 10 Premier League goals between them last season, and there is no question that Newcastle need a lift in attack.

Club owner Mike Ashley is not exactly the most popular of figures with the Newcastle fans, but paying out for Rondon this summer would go down very well indeed, and it would be his smartest transfer decision in years given the need for a new centre-forward.