Newcastle United have spent the past week speaking to Watford over the newly-relegated Championship club’s desire to sign Dwight Gayle, amid interest from rivals Middlesbrough.
That’s according to The Northern Echo, who report the Baggies have overtaken Boro in the race for Gayle’s signature. The striker is free to leave St James’ Park in the summer sales as Eddie Howe looks to reshape his side and has told Gayle that he has no future on Tyneside.
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The 32-year-old played just five games for 10 minutes across all competitions under Howe last season. Each of his brief cameos came in Premier League matches, and failed to result in a goal or assist. He also failed to net in four games for 96 minutes before Howe’s arrival.
Newcastle locked in talks with Watford to discuss interest in Gayle
Gayle is currently training away from Newcastle’s first-team side as Howe prepares his pre-season plans. But chances of Middlesbrough ending his time in the wilderness appear low, as the Teesside outfit would struggle to cover his £40k-a-week contract with the Magpies.
Middlesbrough’s difficulties have handed Watford the advantage following their relegation from the Premier League, with manager Rod Edwards also interested in Gayle joining from Newcastle. He is keen to add a proven striker as the Hornets lost several experienced stars.
Watford would be able to present Gayle with the best terms in the second-tier as Edwards targets a promotion challenge. He believes the forward’s track record in the Championship would be ideal for his new side after replacing Roy Hodgson at Vicarage Road this summer.
Representatives of Newcastle and Watford have been locked in talks for the past week to discuss Edwards’ interest in Gayle. Birmingham City are also keeping tabs on his situation, but the Second City side will struggle to match or better whatever offer the Hornets make.
Championship clubs eye Gayle after striker’s prolific past in second-tier
Additionally, iNews recently credited Sheffield United with an interest in signing Gayle with Newcastle open to a possible loan transfer. Championship clubs are keen to wrap up a deal if the striker is available, having lit up the league over his previous spells in the second-tier.
Gayle boasts 59 goals and 16 assists through 100 regular-season Championship games. He also hit home 23 times during each of his last two second-tier seasons, firing Newcastle to the 2016/17 title and later helping take West Brom into the 2018/19 play-offs whilst on loan.
Kyle Bartley additionally sang the Toon’s £10m forward’s praises while he ran riot with the Baggies. The defender said, via quotes by Birmingham Live: “Dwight is a proven goalscorer and he is always going to get you goals, and his work-rate off the ball is also immense.”
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