OPINION
Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle must worry that Birmingham Mail journalist Joe Chapman claimed he couldn’t envision the attacker being at West Bromwich Albion next season unless the club wins promotion.
The reliable journalist spoke to the Chronicle about the 28-year-old forward and seemed to dismiss the idea that a deal could be reached to keep him at the Hawthorns if the club were set for another season in the Championship.
“He’s currently on his longest spell of the year without a goal (six matches), but Gayle has been a real asset,” Chapman told the paper.
“That said, I can’t see him returning for another year if Albion aren’t in the Premier League next season.”
Gayle has been wowing for West Brom this season and has racked up 16 goals and seven assists in his 31 outings.
Yet it makes sense that the Baggies may not move for him if they’re not promoted as they might want to tighten their belts as they were no doubting assume they’d be able to instantly bounce back into the top-flight.
While the Baggies should really look to tie Gayle down as he has become an important player for them, this situation is more worrying for the 28-year-old then anyone else as it leaves him in a tricky situation.
The 28-year-old has no future at the Magpies as despite him being a hard worker, he has always struggled to be a prolific force in the Premier League.
In fact Gayle has managed only 21 goals in 99 Premier League outings and Rafa Benitez’s side need someone who can be depended on to fire them to success.
The Magpies have seen the benefits of having a more lethal forward upfront in the form of Salomon Rondon this season and you feel that the club would be taking a backwards step if Gayle started to regularly feature for them once again.
This means that if Gayle wants to play regular football, which he most likely will, he needs to secure a move and given that West Brom were his most likely suitors this update has to concern him.
While several Championship clubs will be chomping at the bit to get his services; they may not be willing to pay him the wages he wants or be located up in his ideal location.
If an uncertain future doesn’t worry Gayle, then nothing will.
