Newcastle are interested in a striker while Dwight Gayle’s future remains a doubt.
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in AS Roma striker Gregoire Defrel that is renowned for his quick turn of pace, dogged determination and eye for goal – and that could spell the end of Dwight Gayle.
Sky Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed on his official website that Newcastle are eyeing the 27-year-old, who could leave Roma despite only signing permanently this summer.
Roma agreed a deal to land the Frenchman from Sassuolo last summer on a loan deal with an obligation to buy, meaning they were forced into signing the striker this summer for a fee believed to be worth £17.8million.
However, Roma will be kicking their teeth at agreeing to such a deal, after Defrel scored just one goal in 20 appearances.
Newcastle are now keen on the striker, and if such interest is indeed true, Rafa Benitez must be of the belief that Defrel was not given a fair chance with the Italian giants.
Of his 20 appearances, Defrel started only seven and failed to complete 90 minutes once. Newcastle have been after a striker since their return to the Premier League, with Aleksandar Mitrovic set to join Fulham.
Defrel has shown in Italy’s top tier that he is capable of finding the back of the net on a regular basis, boasting explosive speed and a dogged determination that is similar to 27-year-old Gayle. Indeed, both players are exceptionally similar when it comes to type of striker.
Landing Defrel, then, would surely spell the end of Gayle’s stay at St. James’ Park, with the former Crystal Palace man’s future already in doubt after being linked to Stoke City last month.
If Defrel signs, it seems hard to believe that there is room in the squad for an almost identical striker in Gayle.
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