Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is warming to the idea of losing striker Dwight Gayle in the January transfer window, according to the Northern Echo.
Bruce has been reluctant to lose the forward since taking charge at St. James’ Park, and had made retaining the 29-year-old one of his first priorities in the summer amid offers from West Bromwich Albion and Leeds United.
Gayle has since been sparred little opportunity to demonstrate his worth to United in the Premier League, with our Boxing Day defeat at Manchester United his first start of the season in any competition.
His lack of game time and Bruce’s private intent to strengthen in the mid-season market has made Gayle one of the most likely players to leave Tyneside in January, with the club willing to listen to offers.
United chiefs are still holding out on a £15million asking price for the £40,000-per-week striker, who is out of contract in 2021, though will consider a loan deal should it free Bruce to bring in an attacking option of his own.
What should January hold for Gayle?
Permanent exit
Temporary exit
Stay at Toon
Funds are expected to be made available next month should the right player become available, but departures are necessary with Bruce having named a full 25-man squad at the start of his tenure that saw players like Jack Colback cast into the wilderness.
Gayle’s services are surely set to attract interest from the Championship next month given his exploits in the second-tier during his loan spell at West Brom last term, hitting 24 goals in 40 games.
Those same services have not cut it in the Premier League, as evident by Bruce’s lack of willingness to field the London-born centre-forward even with Joelinton on a run of 17 games without a goal.
In other Newcastle United news, the club are in talks with a £15million man.