Newcastle transfer news: Rafa Benitez lures former Toon striker Salomon Rondon to China in £16.5m deal

Rafael Benitez is about to be reunited with his former Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon after agreeing a £16.5million deal to take him to the Chinese Super League.

The former Newcastle manager will make the Venezuela international the first signing at his new club, and in his new country, after triggering a release clause.

Benitez, now in charge at Dalian Yifang, worked with Rondon at St James’ Park last season while he was on-loan from West Brom and was impressed with his efforts.

Newcastle’s refusal to make that loan spell permanent was one of the factors that contributed to the Spaniard walking out of the club as tensions mounted between him and owner Mike Ashley.

Now, Benitez is finally poised to make the signing of Rondon permanent, albeit on the border with North Korea rather than Tyneside.

Rondon’s desire to move to China, after four years at The Hawthorns, has been fuelled by the offer of a reported £8m a year, three-season contract from Dalian.

The signing will act as a further boost for Benitez’s new employers who have won both their games since he took over at the start of the month.

Headache for West Brom

However, he is leaving behind a growing headache for new West Brom manager Slaven Bilic as he becomes the third high-profile departure from Albion so far this summer.

Striker Jay Rodriguez returned to former club Burnley in a £10m move while defender Craig Dawson joined Watford for about £5m.

Rondon, at least, represents profitable business for the Baggies, who paid Zenit St Petersburg £12m for his services four summers ago, although, after scoring 11 times in the Premier League last season and having become his country’s all-time leading scorer, taking his career tally to 24, his stock has never been higher.

There was Premier League interest this summer although no suitors were willing to match the fee, or salary, on offer from Dalian.