Steve Bruce apparently keen to keep Dwight Gayle at Newcastle amid EFL interest

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Steve Bruce wants Dwight Gayle to remain at Newcastle despite recent interest in his signature from the EFL, according to the Northern Echo.

They report that West Brom, with whom he spent last season on loan and scored 24 goals, and fellow promotion-chasers Leeds have enquired about Gayle.

But Bruce has apparently been impressed with what he’s seen of Gayle in pre-season, despite handing his number nine shirt to record signing Joelinton, which upset the forward.

Bruce is reportedly aware that it’ll be hard to keep Gayle as cover when two ambitious clubs want him and he’ll be a backup at St James’ Park, but will spend the next two days before the deadline trying to get him to stay.

Gayle earns £40,000-a-week at Newcastle according to Spotrac and the challenge for the Championship clubs that want him is funding a swoop for a man who almost guarantees goals in the second tier.

But the Englishman deserves a shot at the Premier League and with Newcastle’s lack of goals, it would make sense for them to keep him around as cover for Joelinton.

Any marksman’s pride would be dented by having the number nine shirt taken away, but Gayle has something to give and Bruce is right to try and get him to stay.