But Benitez is told to hurry up or miss out on £16.5m Salomon

SALOMON RONDON will cost Newcastle £16.5million if they want to sign him on a permanent deal – and they have been warned to move quickly.

The failure of parent club West Brom to get back into the Premier League – they were beaten by Aston Villa in the play-off semi-final on Tuesday – means Rondon will be looking to sign full time for Toon.

He will have a oneyear contract extension triggered when he is handed back to the Baggies next month after his season-long loan deal on Tyneside... but that will include a £16.5m release clause.

The Venezuela international, who says his family is settled in Northumberland, has just enjoyed his best season in England. But Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez faces a battle to persuade club owner Mike Ashley to stump up that sort of cash for a player who turns 30 in September.

Ashley wants the Geordies to spend on younger talent with sell-on value.

Benitez (below) is not against signing younger players but wants flexibility in that policy. The Spaniard is set for talks this week with Ashley over a new contract, and the future of Rondon (right) could play a part.

Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle and Jacob Murphy have been on loan at West Brom this season and Benitez could use striker Gayle, who scored 24 times for the Baggies, as bait.

On his future, Rondon, a big favourite with Newcastle fans, said: “I’m always happy when I score – scoring goals is the only thing on my mind.

“I scored 11 goals in Premier League, 12 for season, so I’m really happy.

“That is the reason the gaffer brought me here – to help the the the team. I did, and we’ll have to wait to see what happens now.

“The supporters singing my name was a special moment for me. I tried to do my job, to work really hard, for them. I scored goals, I assisted the team.

“Now we must wait to see what happens next.”

Wolves, who finished seventh in the Premier League after winning promotion last term, showed interest in Rondon in January and could step in again if Toon dawdle on a deal.

But the fact he wants to sign for Newcastle makes them favourites to land him.