MX23RW : Wednesday, December 25 03:35:01| >> :120:27775:27775:

Salomon Rondon hints Newcastle future could depend on Rafael Benitez stay

Salomon Rondon hints Newcastle future could depend on Rafael Benitez stay
© Reuters
The Venezuela international has scored 11 goals this season.

Salomon Rondon admits he does not know if he will be a Newcastle player next season.

The Venezuela international scored his 11th goal of the season in Saturday evening's 3-2 home defeat by Liverpool to further underline how important he has been to boss Rafael Benitez's team during his season-long loan spell from West Brom.

Rondon's hopes of staying at St James' Park could depend in part on Benitez's continued presence as the 59-year-old Spaniard continues talks over a contract extension, but having made a significant impact this term, he seems keen to stay.

The striker, whose belated arrival last summer was a source of intense frustration for his manager, said: "When I arrived here, I felt like I was at home. I'm settled here, my family's happy here.

"It's difficult to say something now because of the situation – we don't know what will happen with Rafa.

"We have to wait and after that, if I stay, I just bring the same things: hard work, score goals and try to help the team.

"When I arrived here, Newcastle was the first choice, but you never know what happens in football. At the moment, I have to go back to West Brom and wait on whether West Brom get promoted or not."

At 29, Rondon's age is an issue for the Mike Ashley regime, which has traditionally been averse to investing in players who by virtue of their age, would have little or no sell-on value at the end of a contract.

In addition, it is understood the player would cost the Magpies £16.5million if the Baggies are not promoted via the Sky Bet Championship play-offs, but in excess of £20million if they are, while his form for the club this season is likely to have alerted alternative suitors.

Whatever happens, Rondon has enjoyed his time on Tyneside and if that does draw to a close with next Sunday's final-day Premier League trip to Fulham, he will be grateful for the chance he has been given.

He said: "It's a difficult moment for me because I felt the support for all the team and for me, every game, so I have to say thank you to the supporters, the staff, Rafa and my team-mates.

"I don't know what will happen in the future. I have to go to my national team – I will play in the Copa America – and we will see what happens.

"But I always say if I can't stay, I have to say 'thank you' to everyone at the club."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Damian Spellman, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '435cfb7b-f57b-4b19-bcfa-da591e24ed53');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Salomon Rondon in the dark over his Newcastle future'});

ID:358354: cacheID:358354:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4930:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is stretchered off against Newcastle on May 4, 2019
Read Next:
Mohamed Salah doubtful, Roberto Firmino out for Barcelona clash
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!