Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle could be set to return to his former club Crystal Palace in the summer when his contract runs down at the end of the season, according to The Sun journalist Alan Nixon.
Gayle had been missing for the Magpies for most of the opening months of the campaign through a knee injury, but Steve Bruce’s side have been boosted by his return to fitness. The striker would have been hoping to have a more prominent role in the side this term after ending last season in fine scoring form and having scored the winner in the 2-1 win against West Brom last month.
However, the 30-year-old has once again had to settle for a place on the bench over the last few matches. He even seems to have fallen behind Andy Carroll in the pecking order now after the 32-year-old scored in the 2-1 defeat against Leicester City and started against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Gayle is entering the final months of his current £40,000-a-week deal, but the Magpies have been keen to agree a new contract with him. However, it has been reported that his wage demands could prove to be too much amid rumours of transfer interest from Fulham and three other clubs. It has now emerged from Nixon that Crystal Palace could be interested in taking him back to Selhurst Park as a free agent in the summer.
Newcastle. Dwight Gayle free in summer, so no rush to go on loan – and wages huge. Poss Crystal Palace return in summer.
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) January 10, 2021
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Losing Gayle in January seems unlikely judging by Nixon’s update and that will at least give Bruce some reassurance that he will not be left short of centre-forward options over the second half of the seaspm. It is imperative that, if the 30-year-old leaves the club this month, it is not to a potential relegation rival such as Crystal Palace or Fulham.
The Magpies’ chances of keeping hold of the striker beyond the summer appear slim at the moment, given the disparity in wage demands and with Crystal Palace also potentially able to offer him more first team opportunities. It does seem a little bizarre that the 30-year-old has not been used more since his goal against West Brom a month ago.
That could be in Gayle’s mind in terms of when he is thinking about his potential future, as this seems likely to be his last time to agree a major contract in his career. Therefore, he could be tempted by the promise of regular first team football at Crystal Palace, where he enjoyed a successful spell prior to his move to the Magpies.
