Bruce confirms player is “talking to the club” and “almost” ready to put pen to paper

Steve Bruce has confirmed that Dwight Gayle is in talks with the club and “almost” ready to put pen to paper over a new contract.

This comes after The Athletic reported earlier this week that the striker had agreed to sign a THREE-year deal to extend his stay at St James’ Park.

The Newcastle United boss has responded to those rumours when speaking to the press this morning, confirming he is close to securing his future at the club – stating this is “good news” for him given his current deal was due to expire this summer.

Here’s what Bruce had to say to BBC Newcastle:

“I think he’s talking to the club.

“It’s almost there, I believe.

“Good news for him.”

Some are baffled by our decision to hand a 31-year-old a long-term contract when he’s started just TWO Premier League games all season, however it may make sense for two reasons.

Not only does it give us a proven goalscorer in the Championship should the worst happen, it allows us to receive a fee for him this summer should we stay up and decide to cash in on the striker.

That said, you wonder how Mike Ashley can sanction a deal like this for an injury prone player turning 32 this year, yet refuse to hand a permanent deal to a 29-year-old Salomon Rondon who left our player of the season!

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