OPINION
Rafa Benitez should use the Championship as a scouting pool to find a replacement for Dwight Gayle if he decides to sell the Newcastle striker this summer.
The Sun claim Garry Monk’s Middlesbrough are looking to sign the 27-year-old as the former Leeds manager wants to land a forward that is capable of firing the north-east club back into the Premier League at the first attempt.
It is said that Monk will turn to Gayle if he is unable to lure Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga to the Riverside in the coming months, who will cost Monk’s side £15million.
Gayle was in fantastic form for the Toon last season after joining the club from Crystal Palace for £10million, finding the back of the net 23 times and leading Benitez’s side to promotion.
However, This Is Futbol believes Benitez should scour the Championship market for strikers if he is forced to wave goodbye to Newcastle’s number nine.
Here are those three players, including a 52-time international that even found the back of the net at the Confederations Cup: