OPINION
Leeds have reportedly looked to end their pursuit of a direct replacement for Chris Wood by making an enquiry for Newcastle attacker Dwight Gayle.
Shields Gazette journalist Miles Starforth claimed on his personal Twitter account that the 26-year-old was the subject of an approach from the Yorkshire giants, who are still looking to replace the loss of Chris Wood.
Gayle finished second to Wood in the Championship goalscoring rankings last season, which saw Wood finish on 27 strikes for the season while former Crystal Palace ace Gayle managed 23.
It is said that Gayle is valued at around £20million by the Toon, which would make him Leeds’ second most expensive player in their history, behind only Rio Ferdinand and in front of stars such as Robbie Keane, Mark Viduka and Olivier Dacourt.
Understand Leeds have enquired about Dwight Gayle, but no bid as yet. Newcastle rate him in £20m-bracket. #nufc #lufc
— Miles Starforth (@milesstarforth) August 29, 2017
Wood joined Premier League side Burnley earlier this month for a fee believed to be around £15million plus add-ons, putting pen to paper on a four-year deal before scoring on his debut against Tottenham on Sunday.
This Is Futbol analyses how good a signing Gayle would be for Leeds in their pursuit of Premier League promotion, as well as weighing up how likely a move would be to complete.
Good move for Leeds?
The Whites should still look to add a striker to their ranks this summer despite the form of makeshift number nine Kemar Roofe, who has scored four goals in two games when chosen as Leeds’ focal point.
However, Roofe has been preferred out wide since joining the Whites, while the recent signing of Jay-Roy Grot is not viewed as the short-term replacement for Wood with the striker still only 19 years of age.
Gayle’s impressive form in the Championship last season would make him the perfect replacement for Wood, scoring 23 goals despite only playing in 32 second-tier outings due to injury.
Even at £20million, the Whites would be making a real statement in the striker who guarantees goals and would see Leeds take a major step in ending their 13-year wait for a return to the Premier League.
This Is Futbol rating: 10/10.
Likely to happen?
It is unlikely that Leeds will pay such a figure and plenty of negotiating will have to be done before a deal can be reached.
But with only two days left to go in the window, all three parties are running out of time to complete a deal that would see Gayle make a move to Elland Road.
Leeds do have the money and owner Andrea Radrizzani is willing to spend after bringing in 14 first-team players this summer, but £20million could be a stretch too far.
If the Whites and Newcastle can come to an agreement at around the same price that saw Leeds sell Wood for in the next two days, then it is much more likely that a deal will be struck.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10.