OPINION
Newcastle fans will surely rave after a report suggested that Stoke City are prepared to match the Magpies’ £20million valuation for striker Dwight Gayle.
A previous report by the Evening Standard said that Rafael Benitez’s side had slapped the price on the 28-year-old’s head, and the Northern Echo now claims that the Potters look best-placed to match that valuation and snap up a deal.
The newspaper says that Stoke – who are set to receive around £30million from the sale of Jack Butland this summer – are also due another parachute payment from the Premier League.
This will give Nathan Jones’s men more than enough funds to go out and spend £20million on Gayle, and – what’s more – Stoke are said to be prepared to go for the player regardless of whether Benitez stays or goes in Tyneside.
The move would be a great one for both the two clubs and Gayle himself. The striker was electric in the Championship for West Brom last season, scoring 24 goals as his side reached the play-off semi-finals.
There is little chance of him being given much playing time in the Premier League next season, even if another manager comes in at St James’ Park, and, besides, it looks as though Gayle has more than found his level in the Championship.
He would be a great asset to Stoke, who know that the forward is a goal machine and is one of those players who is capable of firing teams close to – or even achieving – promotion.
As for Newcastle, £20million is a lot of money for them and they could use it very wisely on another addition since Gayle will not be needed at the club next season.
