Salomon Rondon passes Dalian Yifang medical as Rafa Benitez looks to bounce back from first setback
Salomon Rondon is set to be formally announced as a Dalian Yifang player.
Sky Sports reporting late on Thursday afternoon that the striker has now successfully completed his medical.
Dalian Yifang have moved on Zimbabwean striker Nyasha Mushekwi to create space for Rondon to have a foreign signing spot and the Chinese Super League club then agreed to pay the £16.5m release clause earlier this week.
It remains to be seen exactly how long it will take for the 29 year old to get into shape to be involved in competitive games, having had an extended break after Copa America action. The next game is away at Teanjin Teda on Sunday but most unlikely he will have any involvement in that.
With only four months and 11 league games of the season remaining after that, Rondon’s signing does suggest Rafa Benitez intends to be there for a while. Some people were guessing he may have a December exit clause when the Chinese Super League ends, allowing him to take a job in Europe if an attractive one came up. However, it would appear most unlikely he would mess Rondon around, signing him knowing he might walk away shortly.
The signing will give the former Newcastle boss a lift after his first setback in China earlier this week.
Rafa had started with two home wins and at the same time doubled the crowd.
Then on Tuesday the Spaniard had his first away game, Dalian Yifang taking the lead at Guangzhou Evergrande, only for Paulinho to equalise for the home side.
With seven minutes to go it looked like it would still be a very credible draw against the team second top of the league, only for a late collapse that won’t have pleased Rafa Benitez.
Three goals conceded in the last seven minutes, including two more for Paulinho, ended with a 4-1 defeat.
Meanwhile, as well as Salomon Rondon not staying, Newcastle have sold Perez and Joselu.
On Wednesday, Newcastle were shocking as they lost 4-0 to Wolves with not a single serious attempt at goal, Muto playing a lone role with no sign of Dwight Gayle.
Joelinton is allegedly signing shortly but earlier today, Steve Bruce confirmed it is a calf injury that Gayle has. The new head coach giving no indication just how long he will be missing but it looks all but certain Muto will be the only senior option up front once again on Saturday against West Ham.
The Mag – 15 July 2019:
Salomon Rondon was Newcastle United’s player of the season and most productive in attack.
The 29 year old Venezuelan striker having his best ever Premier League season, scoring 11 and grabbing seven assists.
Despite that, Mike Ashley refused to allow Rafa/Newcastle to make any offer to try and buy him.
Instead, Salomon Rondon will now be joining Rafa Benitez and Dalian Yifang.
On Thursday, Titan Sports said (see below) that Dalian Yifang were moving out Zimbabwean striker Nyasha Mushekwi to create space for Rondon to have a foreign signing spot.
Then on Friday (also see below) the local (to West Brom) paper the Express and Star said that the Chinese club had made a formal approach to buy the former NUFC loan striker.
Monday has now seen Sky Sports announced that a sale price has been agreed between West Brom and Dalian Yifang, presumably the £16.5m release clause.
They say talks are now being concluded on personal terms, with the signing set to be announced by Wednesday. Dalian Yifang have an away match tomorrow (Tuesday) so Wednesday would probably make sense for his unveiling as a new signing.
In the meantime, Josleu has now been sold to Alaves for a reported £2.5m and bizarrely, a number of newspapers are reporting that Newcastle will announce the signing of Joelinton, once they sort out a manager/head coach, the transfer price tag for the 22 year old Brazilian striker somewhere between £25m and £36m according to the various reports.
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