Rondon left St James’s Park at the end of his season-long loan from West Brom after the Magpies opted against activating his £16.5million release clause.

The Venezuelan's departure played its part in a tough summer for Newcastle fans, who also saw Rafa Benitez leave at the end of his contract.

Rondon then reunited with Benitez at Dalian Yifang, but admits he wanted to stay put on Tyneside.

(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

“It’s about decisions and it wasn’t my decision,” Rondon told The Athletic.

“If Newcastle had offered me a deal, if they’d said ‘Do you want to stay here?’, then of course I would have stayed.”

The 30-year-old became a fans’ favourite in his one season at St James’s Park, scoring 12 goals in 33 appearances.

He added: “To be honest, last season was the best I’ve ever had.

“Not just because I scored goals, but because everything around me was so right, from the school of my children, to the city, the people, my family being happy.

“I was working really hard in every training session to be in the team and I did everything properly for that. I was playing. Everything was perfect.”

Rondon had a late offer to return to the Premier League last month with Manchester United but they decided to pursue a deal for Odion Ighalo.

“It was all out of my hands,” Rondon said.

“It means a lot to be linked with Manchester United because they have a great history and it must mean they think I did well in the Premier League.

“They started to talk to my agent and I was just waiting by my phone for a decision, maybe for the lawyers, but then I saw Ighalo had signed.

“It didn’t get to the stage where an offer was made or anything like that, but I think it was really close.”

So, would he like to come back to England before he retires?

“I hope so, one day,” he says. “If Newcastle made me the offer, I’d definitely come back!”

Salomon Rondon's brilliant response when asked if he would return to Newcastle United