Rafa dealt Rondon blow - but club are still pursuing "a number of targets" with 5 hours left - Report
Shields Gazette reporter Miles Starforth claims Rafa Benitez is still pursuing a 'number of targets', with him keen to sign a winger and a midfielder before 11pm - however there's no good news to report on Salomon Rondon.
The north-east reporter states that a loan extension discussed for Rondon is a 'non starter' as far as West Brom are concerned, also claiming we aren't prepared to sign him permanently due to 'his age' - with him turning 30 later this year.
Back to the potential good news and Starforth states that we are STILL pursuing several targets, with Rafa hoping to sign a winger AND midfielder to allow both Murphy and Hayden to leave the club.
Here's his update via the Shields Gazette's live transfer blog:
"So far, so good. Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Miguel Almiron in a club-record deal and also signed Antonio Barreca on loan.
"What next? The club is understood to be pursuing a number of targets. Rafa Benitez would also like a winger, and Isaac Hayden will only go if another midfielder arrives. However, a mooted loan extension for Salomon Rondon is a non-starter, and the club doesn't seem prepared to sign him on a permanent deal because of his age."
So, it's not sounding great right now as far as Rondon's concerned - with our reluctance to sign him permanently a real worry given how good he's been - however it looks like Almiron and Barreca may not be the only incomings today.
At this stage, I can see Hayden remaining and no additional midfielder arriving, however Murphy's medical at West Brom suggests to me that we have another winger on their way.
Fingers crossed!
