Newcastle United are struggling to offload Dwight Gayle, Jeff Hendrick and Ciaran Clark due to the Premier League trio’s hefty pay packets, as reported by The Athletic.
Between them, Gayle, Hendrick and Clark reportedly set the Magpies back more than £100,000-a-week (Spotrac). Pocket change to Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners, maybe, but those on Tyneside won’t need reminding that £100,000 could be better spent elsewhere.
That is less, for instance, than the likes of Sven Botman would be expected to earn at St James’ Park.
Understandably, finding clubs willing to take Gayle, Hendrick and Clark off Newcastle’s books – with all three players rumoured to take home around £30 to £40,000-a-week – is proving to be easier said than done. Especially when you consider that the seldom-seen trio are likely to command more interest from the Championship rather than among rival top-flight clubs.
Newcastle want to sell Gayle, Clark and Hendrick
As reported by The Athletic, Newcastle have transfer-listed a host of unwanted players. New sporting director Dan Ashworth is proposing initial loan deals that could eventually turn into permanent transfers.
Clark, a Republic of Ireland international, has not featured in 2022, left out of Eddie Howe’s 25-man Premier League squad. Hendrick struggled to make an impression out on loan at Queens Park Rangers.
Gayle, meanwhile, has played just six minutes of Premier League football since the turn of the year. Middlesbrough, Watford and former employers West Brom all reportedly keen with a now-32-year-old goal-poacher who boasts a superb record in the second tier.
The already out-of-favour Gayle will fall further down Howe’s pecking order if Newcastle finally land Hugo Ekitike. The club’s ongoing pursuit of Botman, meanwhile, should spell the end of Clark’s Magpies career.
“It’s a strong possibility (that I’ve played my final game for Newcastle),” Hendrick said a couple of weeks ago.
“I wouldn’t say I was unfortunate as I got to go to a massive club. A great club. I played a lot of games under Steve Bruce.
“Newcastle have done really well and brought some good players in. I can admit their midfield is very strong with the additions in January. I’d imagine they will strengthen the whole squad again in the summer.”
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