RONDON WANTS TO STAY

SALOMON RONDON wants to return to Newcastle United next season. The West Brom loanee scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat by Liverpool, a match which may yet be his last at St James’ Park. The club’s hierarchy are reluctant to invest in a player who turns 30 this year, especially if it will take a fee in excess of £15million and wages of £120,000 a week. Manager Rafa Benitez is yet to sort his own future but he would be desperate to keep Rondon, and that is a sticking point in negotiations with the club. The striker said: ‘I am getting better with age — it’s like a wine! I am getting older so I have to work more than the young players and I always do that. ‘Maybe it is my last game here. That would be a shame for my family because they are settled here. I have to wait and see if West Brom get promoted. This is the first reason. ‘I have to see if Rafa stays. There are many things — Newcastle, West Brom, Rafa, me. But for me, I feel really proud to be here, to play in the No 9 shirt.’