Stoke City have tabled a bid worth £20million for Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle, according to the Express.
The newspaper claims on their website that Fulham are also ready to bid for the 28-year-old by matching Stoke’s record-breaking offer.
Ruben Neves’ £15.8million move to Wolves in 2017 is currently the most expensive transfer in Championship history, but it seems as though Stoke are ready to out-do their Midlands rivals with a stunning offer for Gayle.
The Express adds that there is uncertainty surrounding Gayle’s future at St James’ Park after he returned to the North-East following his successful loan spell at West Brom.
OPINION
It seems hard to believe that any club in the Championship will be able to offer £20million for a player, especially as Stoke spent a fair bit on transfers last summer following their relegation from the Premier League. Fulham might be able to stump up that kind of cash as the Express reports that Aleksandar Mitrovic could be on the move this summer. Any money gained from his sale could be reinvested in Gayle, who is a proven source of goals in the Championship and is bound to help fire a team into promotion contention, as he did with West Brom last term. While on loan at The Hawthorns, Gayle scored 24 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions. If the Baggies didn’t make a mess of their managerial situation, they could easily be in the top-flight by now. If any Championship side signs Gayle this summer, they will be instantly made favourites for promotion.
