WATFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Dwight Gayle of Newcastle United warms up prior to the Premier League match between Watford FC and Newcastle United at Vicarage Road on July 11, 2020 in Watford, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle are set to open contract talks with Dwight Gayle. The forward is yet to see a minute of action this season as he is recovering from an injury. Manager Steve Bruce provided an update about the same in the report.
Dwight Gayle started his footballing education at Arsenal but he failed to make the grade. Instead, he shot to prominence with Bishop’s Stortford in the non-league arena. He made his mark in the Football League system with Dagenham & Redbridge in League Two before excelling at Peterborough United in the EFL Championship.
The 30-year-old earned a move to the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2013. He went on to score 15 goals in 64 games for the Eagles over the course of his four-year stay at Selhurst Park.
Gayle joined Newcastle United in 2016 and guided the Magpies to a promotion-winning campaign in the Championship with a 23-goal haul in 2016-17. After scoring 6 goals in 35 top-flight appearances, Gayle was loaned out to West Brom, where he plundered 24 goals in the Championship in 2018-19.
The diminutive hitman endured an injury-stricken 2019-20 season at Newcastle, scoring 4 goals in 20 Premier League appearances (source – Transfermarkt).
Newcastle have quite a few strikers at their disposal now, especially after the new acquisition of Callum Wilson from Bournemouth. However, with Andy Carroll and Joelinton being the other options, one can understand the reason for Newcastle wanting to extend Dwight Gayle’s stay.
Andy Carroll is pretty much past his prime and can occasionally throw in a cameo. Joelinton is yet to impress since moving to the club. The club are solely relying on Callum Wilson’s good form currently.
A new contract is the right decision from the club since Gayle has been with the club for a while now. Through thick and thin, Gayle has kept scoring. He stuck with them during their relegation and helped them win promotion.
It is a show of good faith and trust from the club that he still remains a vital part of the team and a valued player. The player has done more than enough to repay that is thoroughly deserving of a new contract. It is a very useful move from the club.
