According to a recent report by The Telegraph, EFL Championship side West Bromwich Albion are said to be readying up a January bid, in an attempt to acquire the services of Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle. The Englishman spent the last season on loan at the Hawthorns and had an extremely prolific year in front of goal. Although his partnership with Jay Rodriguez carried the Baggies into the playoffs, they weren’t able to crack the final puzzle.
How Did Dwight Gayle Make It This Far In English Football?
The former Arsenal youth product had an extremely torrid time trying to make it to the Premier League. Although he began his training at Arsenal, he later went on to play for Stansted, Dag And Red and even Peterborough, before getting his break at Crystal Palace. After finally moving to Newcastle United in 2016, he had an extremely prolific season with them in the Championship, scoring 23 goals in 32 appearances.
It was at West Brom last year though that he hit his stride. Although his scoring rate wasn’t quite as good, the quality with which he moved the ball forward had the Baggies fans in awe. He scored 23 goals and picked up eight assists along the way as well. His overall play in a West Brom shirt was sensational, and it’s a real shame that he’s never been able to replicate that form in the Premier League.
What Does Dwight Gayle Add To The Team?
The 29-year-old is one of the best finishers in the country on his day and is capable of taking some sublime touches in the opposition box as well. Adept and popping up in the right place at the right time, he scores a lot of tap-ins because of his positioning ability. His movement in the final third also provides the rest of the team’s attackers a variety of passing options.
Despite not being very big in stature, the Englishman scores his fair share of headers by merely positioning himself better than the defender marking him. He can be extremely fast off the ball and doesn’t mind tracking back and helping out in defence either. Although Gayle tends to drift off the pace in some matches, given the right kind of support, he can once again light the EFL Championship on fire.
Can Newcastle United Afford To Sell Their Man In January?
The Magpies struggles in front of goal have been no secret, and despite all the excellent work being done by Steve Bruce in the Newcastle camp, it still looks like the problems are outweighing the positives at St. James’ Park. Their summer signing Joelinton hasn’t been able to hit his stride in England so far. Although it does take time for foreign players to adapt to the Premier League, it’s a problem that the manager has to deal with, at least in the short term.
Yoshinori Muto’s move from Mainz has been one of their biggest transfer failures in recent times, and the possibility of his asking for a move away is still on the horizon at Tyneside. With so many attacking concerns, selling another striker will be the last thing on Steve Bruce’s mind. Even though Dwight Gayle is a veteran striker who just can’t seem to deliver in the Premier League, the Magpies will do well to keep him at the club beyond the winter.
