RAFA BENITEZ is rumoured to be in talks with Salomon Rondon over a possible summer switch to Everton for the Venezuela striker. The former Newcastle forward, 31, is thought to have attracted interest from the Toffees, according to the BBC and Sky Sports. Benitez, 61, is believed to have enjoyed a warm working relationship with […]
RAFA BENITEZ is rumoured to be in talks with Salomon Rondon over a possible summer switch to Everton for the Venezuela striker.
The former Newcastle forward, 31, is thought to have attracted interest from the Toffees, according to the BBC and Sky Sports.
Benitez, 61, is believed to have enjoyed a warm working relationship with Rondon during the duo’s time together at St James’s Park and Chinese club Dalian PFC.
His Goodison Park side are thought to be keen on a swoop for the player whose current contract with Dalian expires in December 2022.
This month SunSport exclusively revealed the Toffees could seal a free transfer for the striker amid reports the Chinese club could cut the star’s deal short.
The Venezuela ace has spoken fondly of the Spaniard’s influence on his development as a player during his one-season loan spell at the Toons from West Brom in 2018-19.
Memorable moments include a 45-minute chat the striker had with Benitez during that term about his goal scoring ability
In May this year, Rondon told Sky Sports: “He said to me, ‘What position do you play?’ and I replied, ‘Forward’, to which he said, ‘And forwards score goals, don’t they?’
“He then went on to ask me about where I would place the ball in the goal and why. He really made me think about how I score goals.
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“That is something that will stay with me forever.”
Rondon is reported to have notched up 26 goals in 61 appearances under the former Liverpool and Chelsea boss during their time together at Newcastle and Dalian PFC.
And it is thought the Toffees’ discussions with the player are ongoing with a deal yet to be completed
Reports claim Benitez, whose Everton side play Burnley next, could be eyeing the Venezuelan as a possible replacement for Moise Kean.
The Italy striker has been heavily linked with a return to Juventus this summer following his £25.1million 2019 move to Goodison Park in 2019.
The forward has played in two games this term under Benitez but was given a red card during Everton’s EFL Cup win over Huddersfield earlier this month.
The player netted just two goals in 33 appearances in his first season at Goodison Park.
However, Kean enjoyed a more fruitful spell in front of goal on loan at Paris Saint-Germain last term netting 16 times in 36 appearances.
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