With each day that passes, a return to Newcastle for Salomon Rondon looks less likely, as Wolves and West Ham look likelier destinations.
They also claim that Newcastle “in their current form” would find it difficult to compete with Wolves, if it became a bidding war.
Yet, it should not need to. The player wants to come, and surely, regardless of what anyone else offers, if Newcastle trigger the release clause, then West Brom are obliged to let him speak to the club, thus negating any chance of simply selling to the highest bidder.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
If the Venezuelan striker does not make a permanent switch to Tyneside, fans will have every right to ask how they have allowed that to happen.
Player of the season at the Magpies last season; Newcastle his undoubted preferred option; double digits in the goal-scoring column; plaudits from managers, players, pundits and fans alike; what could possibly mess up a transfer?
Enter Lee Charnley and Mike Ashley.
Surely even Newcastle could not mess this deal up… could they?
Their reputation for stumbling towards transfer dealings, and showing lethargy as opposed to urgency in any potential business, should see fans unsurprised by the current approach for Rondon.
Their attitude is bizarre, and it beggars belief that a player – likened by fans to hero Alan Shearer – who excelled in every department last season, could be allowed to go elsewhere.
But with a club allegedly in the midst of a takeover, and unable to even get their current manager to commit, it appears that any deals for players will be on the back burner for some time yet.
Fortunately for Newcastle, the Copa America is due to start, meaning the player’s club future is likely to be on hold until Venezuela’s exit from the tournament.
Fans will be hoping the St James’ Park situation will be clearer on all fronts, by time that happens.