Dwight Gayle vetoed a last minute loan exit from Newcastle United over the summer, according to The Athletic journalist Chris Waugh.
The £40,000-a-week striker [Spotrac] is understood to have been on the cusp of another season-long loan to West Brom, where he hit 24 goals in the Championship last term.
The deal would have included an obligation-to-buy if the Baggies won promotion, but it is understood that Gayle suggested he would only leave on a permanent transfer.
Writing in a piece for The Athletic, Waugh revealed: “Sources have told The Athletic that a deal was close to being agreed for Gayle to re-join West Brom on a season-long loan, which contained an obligation-to-buy clause if they gained promotion, during the final week of the summer.
“Sources suggest it was actually Gayle himself who vetoed the loan, once again declaring that he would only depart in a permanent deal.”
OPINION
Having Gayle stay at St. James’ Park could actually prove to be a happy accident this season. Certainly, the Magpies are short on goals, with record signing Joelinton not really finding his groove just yet, and having somebody of Gayle’s natural predatory instincts in and around the squad may prove to be a good thing. With 2.4 shots per game last term, as per Whoscored, it is clear that Gayle knows where the goal is, and while he may not play every week, there are definitely worse options to have coming off the bench. It has often been suggested that Gayle is that rare breed of striker commonly regarded as too good for the Championship but not good enough for the Premier League. This is the season he needs to disprove that argument.
