Sports

Chelsea and Tottenham in transfer battle for West Brom striker Salomon Rondon

214

Chelsea and Tottenham in transfer battle for West Brom striker — Salomon Rondon was relegated with West Brom last season (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea, Tottenham and West Ham are locked in a three-way London battle for West Brom striker Salomon Rondon, according to the Daily Mirror.

The 32-year-old joined the Baggies for a club-record £12million from Zenit three years ago but was unable to save Darren Moores side from the drop last season.

Rondon scored 10 goals in all competitions and is available for just £16m as a result of the release clause in his current contract.

More: Football

Chelsea spent £58m on Alvaro Morata last summer but the Spain international has failed to convince and was ousted from Antonio Contes starting line-up by January recruit Olivier Giroud towards the end of last season.

Advertisement Advertisement

Tottenham, meanwhile, signed another Spaniard, Fernando Llorente, last summer to provide back-up for Harry Kane, but like his compatriot at Stamford Bridge, the former Juventus and Swansea striker struggled to acclimatise to his new surroundings and managed just five goals, three of which came against Rochdale in the FA Cup.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Final - Chelsea vs Manchester United - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - May 19, 2018 Chelsea's Alvaro Morata celebrates winning the final with the trophy Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge — Alvaro Morata struggled in his first season in the Premier League (Picture: Getty)

Manuel Pellegrini, the new West Ham boss, will be looking to add fresh firepower to his squad, particularly in light of the speculation linking last seasons top scorer, Marko Arnautovic, with a move to Manchester United.

West Brom, who gave Moore the managerial reigns on a permanent basis last month, are desperate to keep hold of the majority of their squad but would be powerless to prevent Rondon from leaving should his release clause be triggered.

Leicester are said to be in talks with Jonny Evans, who had previously been of interest to Arsenal and Manchester City, while Kieran Gibbs has reportedly been identified by several Premier League clubs.