Why West Brom should sign Dwight Gayle on a free transfer in the summer
According to Chronicle Live, Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle remains firmly on the radars of fellow Premier League side West Brom.
A move in the January window might not be possible, but with the Englishman’s contract expiring at the end of the season, the Baggies would consider swooping in to sign him on a free transfer. (h/t Chronicle Live)
Profile
London-born Gayle started his footballing journey at the academy of Arsenal in 1997 and spent a number of years within the youth ranks before moving to Stansed. In 2011, the striker signed for Dagenham & Redbridge FC and was immediately loaned out to Bishop’s Stortford FC, where he spent a year.
The following season, he moved to Peterborough United, where he scored 13 goals in 29 matches, prompting Crystal Palace to sign him up in the summer of 2013. Gayle spent three years with the Eagles, making 74 appearances in which he netted 25 times. (h/t Transfermarkt)
The summer of 2016 saw Gayle sign for Newcastle United, where he enjoyed a scintillating debut season, as he fired the Magpies back to the Premier League from the Championship. However, a disappointing season next year meant that the 30-year-old was loaned out to West Brom in 2018.
Gayle enjoyed a prolific campaign with the Baggies, netting 24 goals in 41 games and came close to leading them to promotion, only for them to falter in the playoff semi-finals.
Back at Newcastle, he hardly featured last season, but made an impression towards the end of the campaign. In total, Gayle has 94 appearances for Newcastle, scoring 34 goals and setting up 10 more. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Gayle would be a bargain signing for West Brom
West Brom have struggled for goals this season, notably scoring just nine league goals. None of the strikers on the books – Karlan Grant, Hal Robson-Kanu and Charlie Austin, have been able to make an impression.
So they must bring in a new striker at any cost in January if they are to have a chance of staving off relegation. And while a move for Gayle in the winter might not be possible, the Baggies must consider signing him up in the summer when his contract with Newcastle runs out.
The 30-year-old has gathered plenty of experience in the Premier League with well over 100 appearances, which would come in handy for West Brom if they survive the drop. And in case they end up getting relegated, Gayle’s track-record in the second-division would make him an asset for the club.
Read More
- Why West Brom should go back in the market for Andre Gray
- Why West Brom should push to sign Olivier Ntcham from Celtic
Verdict
Gayle is an experienced professional who has proven himself previously at the Hawthorns. And given that they have struggled for goals this term, adding him on a free transfer, irrespective of their Premier League status, would be a smart move.
