NUFC will secretly ‘listen to offers’ for player in January – despite Bruce being a big fan – Report

Mark Douglas was asked about potential January transfer activity in a Q&A session held by the Chronicle this week, and claimed the club will privately listen to offers for Dwight Gayle.

Steve Bruce has spoken highly of the striker ever since he got the job, but it sounds like he may have to cash in if he wants to bring in a new goalscorer in the new year.

Here’s what Douglas has had to say:

“In terms of permanent transfers, my feeling is that it’ll depend on whether anyone with first team potential is sold.

They’ll be listening to offers for Dwight Gayle – although don’t expect that to be advertised publicly – and if he leaves, a replacement would be possible.”

It’s a bit of a weird one with Gayle. Steve Bruce was very enthusiastic about him being back in the Newcastle squad after a brilliant season on loan at West Brom.

Bruce has been quoted as saying “you’re only as good as your strikers” and even claimed he’d tried to sign Gayle previously on more than one occasion.

However despite waxing lyrical about him, and Gayle being fit and available for the last few weeks, and the fact that our first choice front three have scored only one goal between them this season, the former Palace striker has still seen less than 5 minutes action this season in the Premier League. That in itself tells its own story.

My own personal opinion is that Gayle can still contribute in this team, and I’d personally rather see Yoshinori Muto depart ahead of him.

He’s been tarred with the “too good for the Championship, not good enough for the Premier League” brush which is hard to argue with when you look at his goal record over the two leagues. However, his contribution in the second half of the 2017/18 season was massively underrated for me, his all round game improved and he lead the line unselfishly without really getting to many chances.

The last two games have been a vast improvement as Allan Saint Maximin and Miguel Almiron have started to find a bit of form, and as a team on the whole we’ve certainly been creating more chances and looked a much bigger threat.

I’d argue Gayle is the best finisher at the club and if he’s given opportunities can take them. Monday night would be a great time to start.

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