According to The Times’ George Caulkin, Dwight Gayle’s reluctance to leave Newcastle United is ‘delaying’ Salomon Rondon’s potential arrival at the club – with the pair in talks over a part-exchange.
Given this deal has gone a little quiet over the last 24 hours, this is a much needed update from George – a man who’s known to be one of the more reputable reporters when it comes to all things NUFC.
Here’s what he’s had to say on the deal on Twitter when a Newcastle fan asked him by a Newcastle fan if a deal was close:
“As things stand, I don’t think Gayle wants to leave NUFC which is both fair enough and impressive in many ways.
“So that is delaying things (for Rondon’s move).”
Just to answer this, belatedly … as things stand, I don’t think Gayle wants to leave Nufc which is both fair enough and impressive in many ways. So that is delaying things.
— George Caulkin (@CaulkinTheTimes) July 31, 2018
So, it seems Gayle’s preference to stay at Newcastle is holding up the Rondon deal – suggesting that we’re reliant on Gayle leaving if we’re to sign the West Brom striker?
As George alludes to, it’s positive to hear a player be keen to stay and fight for his place at the club, but it seems as though Benitez is happy for him to leave – with Rondon clearly deemed an upgrade on the current Newcastle number 9.
In an ‘ideal world’ (a phrase I use lightly given this transfer window has been anything but ideal), we’d keep Gayle and sign Rondon, allowing both to compete with new boy Yoshinori Muto in the striking department – but it seems like Gayle may have to be sold to fund a move for the Venezuelan (possibly due to his £16.5m asking price that we’ve clearly been reluctant to pay).
Let’s hope this one gets sorted out one way or another as soon as possible.
There’s not long left now and a deal for a new striker is NOT one we can afford to miss out on with just 9 days to remaining for Rafa.
(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)
Can you blame Gayle ❓
Birmingham and, in particular West Brom 😥
Toontaff(Quote)
Just a shame that we have to sell one player to replace with one player, nothing like building up the squad is their ashley
Darren(Quote)
If Gayle dont want to come wba then we dont want him he not that good anyway rondon the reason we went down missing chance after chance ha 16. Mil for a Muppet good luck
Wba all the way(Quote)
Darren, I agree mate, but the situation as it stands demands players have to leave the if another joins. The 25 man squad is strict.
Obviously I’d sooner see Joselu leave than Gayle, but WBA ain’t too keen on that swap! ?
Too many years of accumulating dross coming back to bite us.
Rafa, trying to solve that mess in three years, was always Mission Impossible, but great respect for even trying.
No idea how he’s done it, but he’s only a couple of signings away from turning a sow’s ear into a silk purse. Which brings us back to the elephant in the room – will he, get the funds to do it.
(Friendly word of advice: do not hold your breath awaiting the answer).
Bobbybee(Quote)
i think Rondon s release clause times out at midnight tonight, after that the £16.5m release clause is void.
tonton(Quote)