According to the Northern-Echo, a £20m move away for Dwight Gayle could be key if Newcastle are to make a record-breaking bid for Hoffenheim star Joelinton.
Paul Fraser – the Echo’s chief sports writer – claims that Joelinton is one of Rafa’s ‘top targets’ this summer, and seems to think the club would be ready to pay big money for the Brazilian IF we received our £20m asking price for Dwight Gayle.
It would make sense to sell cash in on Gayle and use those funds to sign a quality replacement, however it’s hard to take any transfer claims too seriously when both a takeover and Rafa’s future seem up in the air.
Nevertheless, here’s a snippet from the Northern Echo’s latest transfer piece:
‘DWIGHT GAYLE could hold the key to Newcastle United breaking the club’s transfer record for the second time inside nine months – regardless of whether Sheikh Khaled’s takeover is completed this summer.
‘Joelinton’s valuation at Hoffenheim would ordinarily mean he is out of Newcastle’s reach under Ashley’s transfer policy, but successful back-to-back Premier League relegation battles have left them with more money to spend after a few frugal years of spending.
‘That said, though, Newcastle are still looking at ways to raise further capital.
‘And if they can offload Gayle for the asking price this summer then there will be even more cash to put towards attracting top striker target Joelinton.
‘Fulham are keen on £20m-rated Gayle, while Norwich and Aston Villa are also interested in a player who has struck 24 times in the Championship over the last nine months at West Brom on loan.
‘Such a financial figure would be perfect for Newcastle to use to help in the battle for Joelinton, with Ashley aware of the potential resale value of the South American who is only a 22-year-old making waves in the Bundesliga. He hit 11 goals and had nine assists in his 35 games last season for Hoffenheim.
‘Hoffenheim are under the impression Newcastle will pay at least £30m, so selling Gayle would certainly help their cause. Benitez has been told he will be given money to spend regardless of who owns the club, it is just the amount which is likely to determine whether he extends his stay.‘
Gayle does seem very likely to leave this summer – and has received interest from Villa, Fulham and Norwich by all accounts – but are we really about to pay upwards of £30m for Joelinton?
His name has been mentioned on numerous occasions by the Chronicle over the past few months, however it would require a huge shift in approach from Mike Ashley if we were to pay huge money for him – even if Dwight Gayle did leave for £20m.
Time will tell!
