Club set to make January bid for NUFC player they “worked hard” to sign this summer – Report

The Athletic are reporting that Nottingham Forest are eyeing up a January move for Dwight Gayle – a player they ‘worked hard’ to sign over the summer.

Gayle made his first appearance of the campaign against Chelsea on Saturday, however the striker failed to manage a single touch of the ball after coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute.

Here’s what The Athletic have had to say about Forest’s interest in the 29-year-old, claiming they’ll be at the ‘front of the queue’ for his signature in the new year:

Forest were among a clutch of Championship clubs who worked hard and, ultimately fruitlessly, to sign Dwight Gayle in the summer. And following Sunday’s narrow 1-0 defeat they will surely look to position themselves at the front of the queue for the Newcastle striker again, in just over two months time.

Gayle made his first Newcastle appearance since May 2018 as they were beaten at Chelsea on Saturday — but did not get a touch of the ball after coming on in the 83rd minute. And while he remains a peripheral figure in the north-east, signing a player of his calibre would ensure Forest possess strength in depth in every area of the pitch.

Gayle has gradually fallen out of favour at St James’ Park, with Rafa Benitez loaning him out to West Brom last season. He impressed during his stint at the Hawthorns, scoring 24 goals in 40 appearances for the Baggies.

During our Championship season in 2016/17, the former Palace man was also prolific in front of goal, again netting 23 goals but this time in only in 32 games – so it’s easy to see why promotion chasing Forest are keen to sign him.

Even as a youngster, Dwight managed a respectable 13 goals and 6 assists in the division while playing in a poor Peterborough side that got relegated.

It is clear that Gayle is a quality forward for a team in England’s 2nd tier, making him a perfect fit for Forest after they looked toothless in their weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Wigan. Their star striker is former Black Cat Lewis Grabban so a player of Gayle’s experience would vastly improve their side – especially when they had ex-Mag Sammy Ameobi playing up top on Sunday.

A big worry for Newcastle is that if the worst comes to worst this season (god forbid), then we could actually be the ones in need of a player exactly like Gayle – and that bleak possibility may not be lost on Steve Bruce and co.

That aside, we really shouldn’t be looking to offload strikers in their current situation.

The team has looked toothless themselves this season, and should be looking to bring in goal scorers, not get rid of them.

(Fancy writing for us? Get in touch at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)


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