Many Newcastle United supporters have been reacting to a report from the Daily Mail that Premier League rivals Fulham have reignited their interest in Dwight Gayle.
Gayle missed most of the first half of the season due to a knee injury but he has returned to full fitness and has been a key member of the squad in the last few weeks, scoring the winning goal in their most recent league win against West Brom. However, the 30-year-old was left on the bench against Leicester last Sunday despite Steve Bruce’s side chasing a two-goal deficit.
His contract is set to expire in the summer and, although Newcastle are attempting to tie him down to fresh terms, there has been no agreement reached at this stage. That means the Magpies run the risk of losing Gayle on a free transfer come the end of the season, while he is also free to sign pre-contract terms with foreign clubs.
The Daily Mail reported that Fulham are chasing the striker to boost their chances of Premier League survival and they hope they can convince the Magpies to sell by offering an incentivised deal. That would involve the London club paying a small fee this month and a further instalment at a later point were they to survive in the Premier League.
The report added that Qatari clubs Al-Gharafa and Al-Duhail are also interested in him alongside Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Shabab.
Newcastle fans react to Dwight Gayle Fulham rumours
Many Newcastle fans were insistent that Gayle cannot be sold to a potential relegation rival such as Fulham, while a few supporters feel that he is too important to be sold to anyone this month.
Even if Bruce doesn't want him, you don't sell to a rival!
— Spotty Spoticus (@spotter1266) January 5, 2021
We shouldn’t, I think he should be given more game time. He has very good movement, makes decent runs and always gets chances… albeit squanders some, he will still score more (a side from Wilson) than the rest of the forwards we have
— YanisNUFC (@YanisNUFC) January 5, 2021
Bruce said before #nufc he wanted to sign him for years, I'd rather keep Gayle given our situation, but if we can sell him before his contract goes and actually reinvest the money I'd take it. Doubt he'll get a new contract here, doubt he wants to stay.
— LP (@____LP____) January 5, 2021
That makes a lot of sense… flog our highest goal scorer in 2020? No thank you. He should be starting!
— TOTALNUFC (@TOTALNUFC1892) January 5, 2021
with the number of players out of contract in six months, this was bound to happen in January to unsettle the squad and yet another in the long list of ways that the club's affairs post-Rafa have been incompetently run.
— Matt Traub (@matttraub) January 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/callumd87076891/status/1346494770298953729?s=19
Be crazy to sell him to them
— Alex Parsons (@alexparsons75) January 5, 2021
https://twitter.com/ToonTasker/status/1346497668714033158?s=19
