Report: English club have now made their move to sign ‘great’ player from Newcastle, talks underway

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Watford have started talks with Newcastle United over signing striker Dwight Gayle after their relegation from the Premier League.

The Northern Echo claim that Middlesbrough have been looking into the possibility of taking Gayle on loan next season.

Boro have had discussions over that, but Watford are now in the race too and have had talks with their Newcastle counterparts over Gayle.

A transfer tussle could be on the cards over Gayle, with Birmingham also credited with an interest in the report, but perhaps unable to compete financially.

Watford want Gayle

Watford seem to be serious contenders because their Premier League parachute payments and the raft of players they have released since mean they can afford Gayle’s £40,000-a-week wages.

Boro were struggling to make those work for them, even on a loan basis, and would have needed Newcastle to pay some towards it.

The report says that Gayle has been training away from the main group under Eddie Howe, making it clear just how free he is to leave.

Rafa Benitez described Gayle as a ‘great player’ during his reign and he is a proven quality operator at Championship level.

He could really fire whichever he signs for to promotion, and he was apparently training so hard last season that he won money from Howe.

Gayle needs a move to kickstart his career again and it is good to see that there is interest in his services, from both his and Newcastle’s point of view.