According to the latest reports from Nottinghamshire Live, Nottingham Forest are likely to pip Leeds United to the signing of Newcastle United’s striker Dwight Gayle. The forward played for West Bromwich Albion on loan last season. There was speculation about his future this summer, but Steve Bruce kept him at St. James’ Park. Gayle struggled with injuries at the start of the season, but he is now back fit and available.
Gayle has only made appearances off the bench so far as Bruce has preferred Joelinton over him. However, we believe that Gayle could be in the reckoning to start a few games as Joelinton hasn’t covered himself in glory in some of his performances this season. Fixture congestion will also boost Gayle’s chances of earning more game time in the coming weeks.
Bruce adamant on keeping Gayle again
Steve Bruce has already fired a warning to the prospective suitors that the striker is not going to be shipped away in January on loan. The Newcastle boss recently said (The Chronicle), ”I don’t want to let Dwight Gayle go. I made that pretty clear in the summer. How would I replace him? I wouldn’t want to let any of our good players going in January. I fought hard in the summer to keep him, and that will be the case again.”
Why are Leeds United unlikely to go for him
With Bruce taking such firm stance it would be surprising to see even if Nottingham Forest gets him in January. As for Leeds United, it was always going to be a long shot for them. The club’s Football Director Victor Orta has already indicated that the Whites will have a quiet January transfer window.
Moreover, Bielsa has found it hard to accomodate Eddie Nketiah in the first team as the youngster is yet to start a game in the Championship. Hence, it would be surprising to see Leeds United go for another striker in January. However, things could change if there is a severe injury to one of the strikers or if someone like Nketiah is recalled back from his loan spell.
Gayle is a proven goalscorer at the Championship level, and he had played a stellar role in helping Newcastle United get back to the Premier League when they had dropped to the second division a few years ago. Even last season for West Brom, the former Crystal Palace forward managed to score 24 goals in the Championship.
However, Bielsa is happy to work with a close-knit squad, and he only uses the players when they integrate and get used to his style completely. So even if the Whites sign Gayle in January, he might take a month or so to be ready to play regularly. The Whites have options in Patrick Bamford, Nketiah and Tyler Roberts. Hence, missing out on Gayle shouldn’t be a blow as long as Nketiah stays put at the club.
