West Brom ace Salomon Rondon set to quit Hawthorns due to £16.5m relegation clause in his contract as club braced for mass exodus
The Venezuelan could be moving on the cheap should they drop to the Championship with others expected to follow the 28-year-old out of the door, according to reports
WEST BROM striker Salomon Rondon could be leaving the Hawthorns on the cheap should they get relegated, according to reports.
The Venezuelan star has £16.5million release clause in his contract should the Baggies drop to the Championship, report the .
The potential departure of Rondon will further mount pressure on West Brom, who have endured a season filled with two managerial sackings and notable off-field scandals, including in Barcelona.
They are staring at the abyss, remaining 10 points from safety with five games remaining.
Former Zenit forward Rondon, who moved from Russia for £12m in 2015, has netted 27 times in all competitions since joining the Baggies and helped them to 10th in the Premier League last year.
West Brom have previously fended off interest for him, including a £32m bid from Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin Quanjian.
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Yet, their inevitable relegation means they will be powerless to prevent the Venezuelan from leaving on the cheap, with West Ham among those interested.
It has been a difficult season for the Baggies, with poor start seeing the end Tony Pulis' reign as manager, before incoming boss Alan Pardew won just once in 18 games and was subsequently sacked earlier this month.
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There has also been numerous off-the-field issues, notably four of West Brom players, including Gareth Barry and club captain Jonny Evans, involved in stealing a taxi during a warm-weather camp in Barcelona in February.
A month later, the 37-year-old was making headlines again, this time after being spotted in a nightclub hours before his side were set to face Burnley, although the midfielder was out with a knee injury.
Matters are likely to get worse heading into the summer, as West Brom could lose Arsenal target Evans cheaply, with a £3 million clause in his contract should they drop to the Championship.
Meanwhile, Barry, who holds the record most Premier League appearances, has the option of a new 12-month deal, but can decline and leave on a free.
Jay Rodriguez is also expected to make an immediate return to the top-flight, after scoring 10 times this season, with Jake Livermore another player nearing the Hawthorns exit.