Reports in the Daily Mirror have stated that Barcelona could make a surprise swoop for West Bromwich Albion striker Salomon Rondon. With Neymar, Suarez and Messi in the squad, the Venezuelan striker would be used as a backup, but he could still be tempted by a move to the Spanish champions.
Luis Enrique has listed Rondon as one among a list of several other striking targets, a list including Milan’s Carlos Bacca, Newcastle’s Ayoze Perez and Atletico Madrid’s Lucas Vietto.
Rondon has already experienced football in Spain during his time at Malaga and Las Palmas and should fit in instantly.
Rondon began his career at Aragua before moving to Las Palmas and then Malaga in 2010. After scoring 25 goals in 67 appearances for the Spanish outfit, the Venezuelan was picked up by Russian side Rubin Kazan for €10m making him the most expensive football player in Venezuela.
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Although he had a slightly disappointing time at Kazan, Zenit were still willing to pay a significant amount for the striker. After moving to Zenit for £15.8m, his form improved drastically. Rondon managed 20 goals in 37 games for the Russian giants and also managed two pieces of silverware in the form of a Russian Cup and Russian Premier League.
The Venezuelan hitman then signed for Premier League outfit West Brom for a bargain £12.5m in 2015.
He has also made over 50 international appearances for Venezuela, scoring 18 goals. Standing at 6’ 1”, the striker would be a significant threat from set pieces for the Blaugrana.
West Brom, though, would be keen on retaining the services of their star striker. Rondon has hit the ground running after his arrival at the club. After a relatively successful opening spell in England, he has also opened his tally in the current season, scoring the only goal in West Brom’s opening day win over Crystal Palace.
With strike partner Saido Berahino’s future also uncertain, Tony Pulis would be desperate on retaining the Venezuelan for at least another season.
Although a concrete offer has not yet been made, and with the transfer window closing in two weeks, it is just a matter of time before Luis Enrique gets things in motion. Barcelona are also in the market for a goalkeeper with the imminent exit of Claudio Bravo.
The Catalans begin their La Liga campaign against Real Betis on Saturday.
