RAFA BENITEZ is looking for an update on Newcastle United’s transfer front in the early part of this week at a time when West Brom’s Salomon Rondon is under serious consideration.

The Magpies are desperate to add at least one striker this summer and a range of players at home and abroad are being targeted.

At a time when the fees being quoted to Premier League clubs for players is huge, what is reasonably attractive about Rondon is a £16m release clause.

The Venezuelan can leave this summer following the Baggies’ relegation from the top-flight and that is a decent enough figure for a powerful front-man who has done well since arriving three years ago.

The 28-year-old would be an ideal candidate to replace Islam Slimani in the Newcastle squad after his unsuccessful loan from Leicester City. And with Aleksandar Mitrovic expected to leave after the World Cup, the need to find a new target-man has grown significantly.

Benitez, yet to sign a new deal, wants to hear some good news from managing director Lee Charnley, knowing it is not just the forward area where he wants new faces.

Sources in France have claimed there has been offer from Newcastle lodged for Brazilian midfielder Thiaga Maia.

The 21-year-old has a huge release clause of more than £50m, but Lille know they would have to listen to offers for a lot less than that.

Clubs from across Europe have been watching Maia in action but so far there has not been any concrete offers for his services. Lille don’t want to sell him but are also appreciative that money talks.

Benitez wants a new striker, winger, midfielder and defender just as a starting point, and that is before factoring in any further departures.

The Newcastle has never ruled out selling any player and expects to hear of offers for some of his key men, which he would have to consider.

Sevilla are ready to pay £13m for defender Florian Lejeune, less than 12 months after he arrived from Eibar for £8.7m.

Lejeune enjoyed a strong first season at St James’ Park where he struck up a defensive understanding with Jamaal Lascelles at the heart of the defence.

Selling him would leave Newcastle shorter at the back, at a time when the likes of Tottenham and Everton are also mulling over making a £45m offer for Lascelles.

Newcastle are assessing the options to target for alternative defensive options, Sassuolo with Gianmarco Ferrari is one of those.