Last season, when Rafa Benitez took over, Everton were in a grave financial situation so the club was forced to make free transfers. Andros Townsend, Asmir Begovic, Salomon Rondon and Andy Lonergan arrived on free transfers. It now appears that the Toffees could sell one of them if need be and make a good profit.
Rondon arrived from Dalian Pro in China, signing an initial two year deal with the option to extend for the third year. He was expected to remain a backup striker behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. The Venezuelan arrived without a pre-season and lacked match fitness which was glaringly evident from his first appearance itself.
Injuries to Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison threw Rondon into the fray and he struggled to make any impact. He was being overrun, he couldn’t make sprints nor did he have gas in the tank to complete 90 minutes.
The situation did get better as the season progressed as he had time to work on the training ground and regain his fitness but his impact on the field remained minimal. In 20 Premier League appearances, Rondon scored once and assisted one goal.
Everton striker Salomon Rondon wanted in Spain
According to Daily Mail, Rondon’s future at Everton is in doubt. The Venezuelan is a target for La Liga side Real Mallorca. He was assigned the task of a backup striker and he did what was asked but the 32 year old could have done the job more convincingly as the Toffees narrowly avoided relegation.
The 32 year old enters his final 12 months of the deal and if an extension doesn’t take place, the Toffees could end up losing him on a free transfer. However, Everton could end up selling him if Frank Lampard decides to trust Ellis Simms or Nathan Broadhead with a backup role instead of sending them on a loan assignment.
As mentioned, Mallorca have shown interest alongside few other La Liga clubs. The Mallorca, coached by Javier Aguirre, has previously worked with the striker at Malaga and Las Palamas. If Everton decide to sell Rondon and Mallorca arrive with an offer, whatever the bid, it will be a complete profit for the Merseysiders as Rondon arrived on a free transfer. He’s valued at £3.6 million by Transfermarkt so the Toffees could actually make decent gains from a sale around that figure.
However, whether Mallorca can afford his £43,000 per week wages or not remains to be seen. Rondon could possibly lower his wage demands and go to a club where he may get more playing time. For Everton, they can trust the youth of Simms, Lewis Dobbin or Broadhead.
Will Salomon Rondon leave Everton?