Dwight Gayle could be used as part of a deal in Newcastle United’s hunt to sign Salomon Rondon, according to the Daily Mail.
The national newspaper claim that new West Brom boss Slaven Bilic is keen to bring Gayle back to the Hawthorns, and that any deal for Rondon must include the permanent sale of the 28-year-old.
The Daily Mail reports that a move for Gayle was halted when the Baggies couldn’t afford his Premier League wages, but a second swap deal involving the Newcastle striker and West Brom’s Rondon would allow the club to go back in for the English forward who scored 24 Championship goals last season.
Rafael Benitez has reportedly gone into pole position to re-sign the Venezuelan international after interest from Premier League rivals Wolves.
OPINION
This would be the best possible outcome for Benitez and Newcastle. Rondon is clearly wanted by the Magpies after he quickly became a fan favourite at St James’ Park last season in his temporary stay in the North East. Rondon was involved in 18 goals in his 32 Premier League appearances under Benitez, 11 of those being goals. With Gayle clearly not in Benitez’ plans, this would be the most logical way of dealing with the situation for both parties. Both clubs would get a player out of their club that isn’t wanted while receiving one that they hold a great interest in. £40,000-per-week Gayle [Spotrac] leaving the club would allow Benitez to reinvest his wages into a forward that has a bigger chance of cementing a first-team spot and affecting his side much more. With the future of most key Newcastle figures at doubt in the next couple of weeks, any potential transfer may need to wait until there is a glimmer of clarity in the North East.
