Rafa Benitez has described Salomon Rondon as an "important player" for Newcastle United following a fantastic loan spell on Tyneside.
Rondon is now a West Bromwich Albion player again, but Benitez has made him a key part of his plans going forward and wants him to remain on board next season if he stays on as boss.
Rondon also won the club's official player of the season award at St James' Park.
The Venezuela international scored 12 goals and made seven assists in 33 games for the Magpies, and when asked about his contributions, Benitez told the Chronicle: "I was really pleased for him and for us.
"It's congratulations to him because he did so well.
"He helped the team to stay up.
"He has been an important player and it's exactly the same when I talked about my situation (his future depends on his current employers).
"His situation depends on West Brom so we will see what happens with them.
"We will have time to talk about his future."
Meanwhile, Dwight Gayle has been linked with newly-promoted Norwich City.
Reports in East Anglia have suggested the Canaries are keen to add some experience to their frontline.
But Gayle - who is no longer a target of West Brom - is scheduled to return to Newcastle on July 4.
