Steve Bruce recently confirmed his desire to keep Dwight Gayle at St James’ Park for the upcoming campaign.
The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a move back to the Championship in recent weeks, with Leeds United reportedly showing an interest in the prolific second-tier scorer.
West Brom have also been credited with an interest in bringing the dynamic striker back to The Hawthorns, according to The Telegraph, however, with Leeds set to lose Kemar Roofe to Anderlecht, the Whites could decide to seriously step up their initial interest in the coming days.
So should the Magpies consider cashing in on the striker?
Read Newcastle verdict
Bruce is keen on bringing in another goalscorer before the window closes, and if they do that, cashing in on Gayle could be of consideration to the Magpies.
Gayle will turn 29 in October and struggled during his previous campaign in the Premer League with the club, despite showing some early promise with Crystal Palace.
The striker scored 15 Premier League goals for the Eagles in 64 appearances across three seasons (Whoscored.com), before joining Newcastle in 2016 for £9 million.
And, it appears as if, statistically, the forward is better off plying his trade in the second-tier.
Everyone knows that there is a significant jump between the two leagues and Gayle’s stats back up the statement we hear so often.
His goal ratio between the two divisions is astounding. He manages to find the back of the net every one-and-a-half games in the Championship, striking 47 times in 72 appearances.
However, he averages a goal in just under every five appearances in the Premier League, scoring 21 times in 99 appearances.
And with the player himself edging past his prime, the Magpies may well be better off bringing in a fee between £15-20 million for the striker over the next four days, providing they can bring in a high-quality replacement.
