Steve Bruce is reportedly set to launch a bid to reunite with Dwight Gayle at West Brom, offering the striker a way out of Newcastle after only playing 34 minutes of first-team football last season.
Gayle’s time at Newcastle looks to be coming to an end as Newcastle look to cut down the squad to make way for new arrivals.
Signed in 2016 by Rafa Benitez, Gayle was brought in alongside Matt Ritchie to help Newcastle regain their Premier League status following a heartbreaking relegation to the Championship. He bagged 23 goals for the Magpies that season, guiding them back to the top flight as champions.
The following season was where his weakness was exposed – Gayle is an absolute top-class Championship-level striker, but when it comes to the Premier League, he struggles. Netting only six times in 35 league games in the Premier League in the 2017/18 season it was clear that we needed someone else to lead the line.
Further proving this point, Gayle was loaned to Championship side, West Bromwich Albion where he helped himself to 24 goals in 41 games for the Baggies.
Since that loan spell, Gayle has hung around at St James’ Park where both his game time and goals return have decreased. Now 32, it’s time for Gayle to move on while he still has something to offer.
Although no fee has been mentioned, Football Transfer Tavern credit Steve Bruce with a solid interest in bringing Gayle back to West Brom for another assault on the Championship. However, he may have competition from Middlesbrough who are also linked with a move.