Former Scotland international Kenny Burns has been banging the drum for Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle to leave the club for Nottingham Forest in January.
Burns is a former Forest player, of course, and he believes the Magpies frontman could be the difference as the fourth-placed Reds chase promotion to the Premier League.
“I keep seeing Dwight Gayle’s name being linked with a move to Nottingham Forest in January when the transfer window opens,” he wrote in his Nottingham Post column. “If Forest could get Gayle on loan, pay half his wages which would be around £30,000 if you believe reports and a fee of about £3m of £4m then I think that would be good business.
“He’s a proven finisher in this division having netted 20-odd for Newcastle previously before bagging 24 last season for West Brom, so clearly knows where the net is, he’ll be chomping at the bit do get playing football again.”
OPINION
It’s no surprise that several Championship teams are reportedly after Gayle. His record in that division is absolutely impeccable. The Telegraph reported on Monday that the Magpies would allow him to leave in January, but only if they receive bids of more than £15million. Steve Bruce wants to keep him, though, and is hopeful that the price tag will ward off interested clubs from the second tier. Forest are said to be joined by West Bromwich Albion – where Gayle spent last season on loan – Stoke City and Leeds United in their interest in the Englishman. The truth with Gayle is that he is a top Championship striker, but merely an OK top flight hitman. In three seasons in the second tier with Peterborough United, Newcastle and West Brom, he has bagged a staggering 59 goals in 100 games. In the division above, though, it’s just 21 goals in 103 outings for Newcastle and Crystal Palace [Source: Transfermarkt]. Still, with Joelinton failing to fire, dare Newcastle sell a proven goalscorer in January?
