Newcastle have all but confirmed that Dwight Gayle has signed a new contract at the club – albeit indirectly – after the striker was spotted back at the Benton base for pre-season training today.
The striker’s deal was due to expire on June 30th, but with no retained list released by the club over the summer break, fans have been left wondering who is staying and going at St James’ Park.
Reports had suggested that the 31-year-old was due to sign a surprise – if not slightly bizarre – three-year deal on Tyneside, yet there was no official follow up announcement from the club.
Now, months later, it seems a new contract must’ve been signed by Dwight Gayle for him to be back training with the group today.
See the photos of the players’ first day back below, also showing Florian Lejeune and Yoshinori Muto back from loan spells at Alaves and Eibar, respectively:
Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Karl Darlow, Paul Dummett and Mark Gillespie were all spotted arriving back at the Benton base earlier today, while the pictures above also confirm the return of Jamaal Lascelles, Jeff Hendrick, Javier Manquillo, Isaac Hayden and Jamal Lewis for pre-season training.
Lejeune and Muto are back for now following spells in Spain last season, however reports have suggested that Steve Bruce will look to move both on this summer should offers arrive.
As for Gayle, doesn’t it just sum up the state of Newcastle United that fans have been forced to figure out a new contracts via a few photos on Twitter – not an official announcement from the club!
One day we’ll get that official retained list…
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