One year ago today, Newcastle United signed the 27-year-old.
On this day in 2016, Newcastle United signed Dwight Gayle.
He might have cost a cool £10 million, but the former Crystal Palace man proved well worth the money by playing a huge role in Newcastle’s promotion back to the Premier League.
The 27-year-old hitman netted 23 Championship goals in 26 starts as the Magpies went on to win the league on the final day of the 2016-17 season.
The number nine jersey is certainly Gayle’s to lose as Newcastle prepare for life back in the Premier League, but can he keep it?
The top flight represents a big step up in class, and Gayle only has 15 Premier League goals under his belt during a three-year stint with Palace in the big time.
Manager Rafael Benitez must have an inkling that Gayle is rather untested when it comes to the Premier League, but the Spanish boss has so far failed in his efforts to bolster his striking options.
Benitez has seen Tammy Abraham slip through his fingers, with the Chelsea man expected to join Swansea City on loan, but the former Liverpool coach will surely be scouting alternative options.
Gayle has proven himself a fine Championship striker, and a fine signing by virtue of the fact that his goals effectively won promotion, but it remains to be seen if he is the number nine that Newcastle need to not only survive in the top tier, but thrive.
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