RANCAGUA, CHILE - JUNE 14: Jose Salomon Rondon of Venezuela celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the 2015 Copa America Chile Group C match between Colombia and Venezuela at El Teniente Stadium on June 14, 2015 in Rancagua, Chile. (Photo by Miguel Tovar/LatinContent/Getty Images)
LatinContent/Getty Images
The Baggies are going back to Eastern Europe for another record signing.
One year after breaking its transfer record in buying Brown Ideye from Dynamo Kiev for $17.1 million, West Bromwich Albion has moved to Russia for Zenit Saint Petersburg’s Salomon Rondon.
This time, it’s going to cost them about $18.7 million, and could be the next step in the sale of Saido Berahino, who has been consistently linked with Tottenham Hotspur amongst other suitors. West Brom has also added Rickie Lambert to their striker stable, which includes Ideye and Victor Anichebe.
[ TRANSFERS: Barton to West Ham? | Shaqiri to Stoke? ]
Rondon, a six-foot-2 striker, turns 26 next month. He scored 20 goals in 44 games for Zenit en route to the Russian double, also scoring the goal in Venezuela’s 1-0 win over Colombia at this summer’s Copa America.
“He’s got a fantastic goalscoring record in some of the top leagues in Europe and for his country,” says Pulis. “He’s 25 years of age and still to fulfil his full potential.“We hope he hits the ground running of course but understand it might take him time to settle. I’m sure our fans will help him and get behind him.“But we feel with age on his side and the prices English clubs are asking for their players, it’s a deal worth doing.
A center forward, he’s scored 20 goals in back-to-back years. Before that, he netted 27 goals over two years at Malaga.
Ideye scored 7 goals in 30 matches for the Baggies last season, growing his production once Tony Pulis took over at West Brom.
The Baggies open their Premier League season later Monday against Manchester City. Rondon won’t be in the lineup, but will Berahino? Will the price of young English players often inflated, the Baggies will likely cash in soon.