OPINION
Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle has admitted that a permanent move to West Brom could be “on the cards” – and Rafa Benitez needs to ensure that is not the case when the striker’s loan deal expires at the end of the season.
Since swapping Salomon Rondon for Gayle in the summer, both moves have gone entirely as predicted.
Rondon has worked hard but has ultimately lack in end result while Gayle has tore up the Championship with nine goals and five assists in 15 appearances across all competitions for the Baggies.
It is no surprise that the ex-Crystal Palace striker is loving life at The Hawthorns, so much so that he has admitted that his temporary deal could be made permanent next summer – which is worrying news for Newcastle.
“Yeah of course it’s crossed my mind,” said Gayle about a permanent deal, as quoted by the Express & Star. “It’s something that will be on the cards but I suppose I’ve just got to get this season out of the way and let others get on with what they’ve got to do and we’ll see how things go.”
Newcastle are struggling to score goals in the Premier League and even though they have won their last two matches, relegation is still a possibility for the North-East giants.
Benitez has to prepare for that eventuality and if it does happen, Gayle would be invaluable in the Championship, as he was a couple of years ago when the Magpies won the second-tier title on their way to promotion.
Even if they stay up, Gayle is still as good an option as Rondon is.
Neither score many goals in the Premier League, but Gayle would be a superb impact forward if Mike Ashley actually freed up some funds to sign a top striker next summer.
Benitez needs to get on the phone to Gayle as soon as possible and get this potential permanent exit off the cards straight away.
It doesn’t matter how he does it, the Spaniard just needs to get it done.