NUFC set for talks over double January deal involving Salomon Rondon & loan signing - Report

According to the Northern Echo, Newcastle will attempt to sign Salomon Rondon on a PERMANENT deal from West Brom in January - a move that would then allow Rafa Benitez to make another domestic loan signing in the new year.

The piece by Scott Wilson also claims that West Brom would be willing to enter talks over a deal for Rondon - especially if we allowed Dwight Gayle to join the Baggies permanently in the opposite direction.

With Rondon and Kenedy currently taking up our two domestic loan slots, freeing up one of these (by signing one permanently) could be highly beneficial in January - especially when we've been credited with interest in several Premier League players we could only realistically sign on loan. Examples being Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Liverpool's Divock Origi and Dominic Solanke.

Here's a snippet from the Echo's intriguing transfer story today:

'NEWCASTLE UNITED will consider turning Salomon Rondon’s loan into a permanent January deal in order to free up a slot for another temporary transfer in the second half of the season.

'Ideally, Benitez would like to supplement any permanent signings with one or two loan additions – Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke would be an appealing short-term option - but as things stand, he cannot make any temporary transfers from clubs in England.

'There is no chance of Chelsea agreeing to a permanent transfer for Kenedy, but sources in the Midlands claim West Brom would be willing to consider a permanent deal for Rondon, particularly if Newcastle were willing to allow Dwight Gayle to make a full-time switch in the opposite direction.

'There is now a strong chance that Newcastle officials will initiate a new round of talks with their counterparts at the Hawthorns aimed at agreeing a permanent January deal.'

As the piece states, it seems like there's 'no chance' of us signing Kenedy permanently in January - with Chelsea clearly keen to take a longer look at him before cashing in - however a permanent deal for Rondon sounds very possible.

It would signal a chance of heart from Ashley (who's tended to be reluctant to sign players nearing 30), although he was present to see his stunning display in the 2-1 win over Bournemouth recently.

IF a permanent deal could be agreed, a loan move for Ruben Loftus-Cheek (who could fill our number 10 role superbly) could be on the cards..