According to the Sun’s Alan Nixon, Stoke City have lodged an inquiry to sign Dwight Gayle – however have been swiftly told that the striker has no interest in leaving Newcastle United this summer.
It was claimed soon after their relegation that they’d identified the NUFC number 9 as the man to fire them back into the top flight, but it seems the striker has immediately rebuffed their approach.
It’s now claimed they’ll look at former NUFC target Andre Gray instead who, like Gayle, has a track record at Championship level.
Here’s a snippet from the Stoke Senitel today confirming their short-lived attempt to the 27-year-old striker:
“Stoke City are said to be planning an audacious £14m raid on Premier League Watford for striker Andre Gray.
“And according to the Sun’s Alan Nixon, the Hornets are ready to consider a deal for the 28-year-old, who joined them from Burnley last summer.
“Nixon also reveals that Stoke inquired about Newcastle forward Dwight Gayle, but were told he doesn’t want to leave Tyneside.”
It’s been claimed recently that Newcastle would be willing to cash in on Gayle if the right offer arrived and replacements were signed, but it seems like he’s intent on fighting for his place.
He has a young daughter and seems settled in the North-East, so it’s easy to see why he’d prefer not to up sticks, however he could be about to see his game time fade rapidly next season if A) we sign a striker or two and B) his form doesn’t dramatically improve.
Personally I’d be keen to cash in and, if a bid of £12-£15m arrived, I can see us replacing him with a player slightly more capable of doing the business at Premier League level.
If he doesn’t want to leave Newcastle it might be worth putting himself about a bit on the field of play and start to knock a few consistent goals in.
Far too ineffective last season.
sikovash(Quote)
Get rid , he’s rubbish and I said the same when we first signed him , done good in championship but record in premiere is very poor .
Jack(Quote)
Rafa believes in Gayle, and thinks he is a Premier league player, so that’s good enough for me..
BillytheFish(Quote)