Fulham are set to seal a deal for Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, which would then allow a deal for Salomon Rondon to go through.

Serbian star Mitrovic spent the latter part of last season on-loan at Fulham and played a major part in their promotion with 12 goals.

He was quick to tell Newcastle that he did not want to play for the club again, as they bumped up his price towards £30million.

But now a £20million deal is close for Fulham, who have already broken their transfer record this month when they paid £25million for Ivory Coast ace Jean Michael Seri.

Now Mitrovic is set to join on a long-term deal, with Newcastle desperate for cash in order to finance some of their business.

With Mitrovic sold, one of the first deals for Newcastle will be to try and push through a deal for Rondon – who is keen to leave relegated West Bromwich Albion.

Rondon can leave for £16.5million, which is a release clause and Newcastle have tried to structure a deal which involved an initial loan with more following next year – but The Baggies want a permanent deal doing now.

And Newcastle are expected to push through a deal for the Venezuelan over the weekend – after he emerged as Rafa Benitez’s top target.

Newcastle are firm favourites to land Rondon, with BetVictor rating them at 2/1.

BetVictor’s Head of ante post Football Michael Triffitt commented: “West Brom forward Salomon Rondon looks set to leave the relegated club and has interested a number of clubs, many still in the top flight. Newcastle are under pressure to capture a striker and have been supported from 16/1 into 2/1 market leaders to seal a deal.

“West Ham, who have been splashing the cash this summer, are 5/1 with Watford 8/1 and its double figures the rest with the Magpies appearing to be in the driving seat at present.”