Middlesbrough are interested in signing Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle, according to the Daily Star.
The newspaper claims that the Championship outfit, and Newcastle’s north east rivals, see the 28-year-old as the ideal man to fire them to promotion next season.
Gayle – who scored 24 goals while on loan at West Brom in the second tier last term – has returned to Tyneside after failing to reach the play-off final with the Baggies, but the Daily Star adds that the forward is likely to leave St James’ Park permanently this summer.
OPINION
There is no doubting Gayle will leave Newcastle for good this summer. The Magpies got on just fine without him last season, with Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez doing most of the business in front of goal. What’s more, Gayle had a fantastic campaign in the Championship and he if is not guaranteed regular football in the Premier League, it is likely he would not hesitate to drop back down again and make a real impact in the second tier. He seems to thrive in the Championship and would be a great addition to any side looking to get promoted, but especially Middlesbrough, who have come short in the past two seasons and need that extra firepower. As for Newcastle, Rafael Benitez will not mind having to ratify this transfer and there will be no problems in seeing Gayle go. The only question that remains is where he will end up come the start of August.