Rafa Benitez 'confident' of striker deal as Newcastle make Salomon Rondon move

Rondon has a £16.5million release clause in his contract at The Hawthorns following the club's relegation from the Premier League.

And the striker is among Rafa Benitez's summer targets.

United's hierarchy have known the terms of the clause for some time, but there have been concerns about spending a club-record fee on a 29-year-old.

However, Sky Sports claim that there have been talks over a move for Rondon.

Manager Benitez was today asked about the club's striker search at the club's training camp in Ireland.

"I'm quite confident, but it's a question of when," said Benitez. "We're working on that."

Newcastle plan to fund their move for a striker by selling £20million-rated Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is expected to join Fulham this summer.