Dwight Gayle could be available in January for around £15m according to Luke Edwards.
The Telegraph’s north east correspondent writes that although there are several Championship teams interested in the former Crystal Palace striker, Steve Bruce still rates him highly and is reluctant to sell him. Bruce is reportedly hoping the price tag will actually be a deterrent to Gayle’s would be suitors, who include Leeds, Nottingham Forest and West Brom, where he had a brilliant last season on loan, scoring 24 goals.
Bruce has waxed lyrical about Gayle several times since he took over, yet despite this, and despite our lack of goals from our designated forwards, Gayle hasn’t seen much action.
He came off the bench on Saturday for a mere 21 minutes, will surely be on the bench at least on Thursday at Sheffield United. The games are about to come thick and fast over the next few weeks, and with Andy Carroll injured and Yoshinori Muto seemingly out of favour, maybe Gayle will get his chance to finally prove that he belongs in the Premier League.
For too long he’s been that player who is too good for the Championship and not good enough for the Premier League. It’s completely understandable that second tier teams would pay big money for him as in his last two season at that level, he’s scored 47 goals for ourselves and West Brom, while missing a few games here and there with injuries.
I’m personally still of the opinion that if he gets chances he can score goals, and Villa aside, the last few games have indicated this team are finding their feet as an attacking force. Hopefully Joelinton can finally come to the party.
One last note on Gayle’s transfer fee, it’s so typical of Mike Ashley that he’s demanding £15m for Gayle, but wouldn’t sign Rondon for £16.6m…….Gayle is only one month younger than Rondon.
