Newcastle United management insist Salomon Rondon was a Rafa Benitez signing.

The striker is on-loan this season from West Brom.

Toon officials told a fans forum last week: "The manager wanted the player and the best deal for the club was to loan the player. The club would not have done the deal it did if the player wasn't the number one target for the manager.

"There was money available for the right players. Players have to benefit the club not only in the short term, but also the medium-to-long term."