Fulham and Newcastle United are said to have agreed a £15 million fee on deadline day.
Dwight Gayle in action for Newcastle United
Fulham will target Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle in January, according to a report on page 46 of Monday’s Daily Mirror newspaper.
It is claimed the two clubs agreed a £15 million deal on deadline day, and that Gayle wanted a return to London.
But the move is said to have fallen through after Newcastle failed to sign Arsenal striker Lucas Perez.
Dwight Gayle in action for Newcastle
Gayle moved to St James’ Park from Crystal Palace in a £10.8 million deal last summer (Transfermarkt), and scored 23 goals from 26 starts as the Magpies clinched the Championship title.
However, he has only played 126 minutes this campaign, and was omitted from Rafa Benitez’s squad for last weekend’s defeat of West Ham United.
Meanwhile, Fulham suffered defeat in the play-offs last time out, and have seen two of their top scoring players, Chris Martin and Sone Aluko, return to Derby County and sign for Reading respectively.
Rui Fonte in action for Braga
Portuguese forward Rui Fonte has since moved to Craven Cottage from Braga in an £8.2 million deal (Transfermarkt), but Gayle’s arrival could give the London side the firepower they need to go one better this season.
Again though, much will likely depend on Newcastle’s ability to find a replacement first.
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