Nottingham Forest are keen on a deadline day swoop on Newcastle United to sign striker Dwight Gayle, according to journalist Darren Witcoop.
The Reds could be set to lose Lewis Grabban for several weeks. He hobbled out of yesterday’s defeat against Cardiff and is set for a scan on his ankle.
Forest will be against the clock in order to get things sorted in attack. The transfer window slams shut tonight and the Reds are eyeing Gayle.
The Newcastle striker has fallen way down the pecking order at St James’ Park. He has made just four Premier League appearances this season, playing for just seven minutes under Eddie Howe.
A loan deal would perhaps suit Forest better. Gayle earns £40,000-a-week at Newcastle and the club will likely want some of those wages paid.
The striker may prioritise regular football over money at this stage of his career. If Grabban is going to be missing for a period of time, the pathway would be clear for him to play at Forest.
Other second-tier clubs are keen on Gayle. Forest, however, seem to be firmly in the mix to sign the experienced performer.
The 32-year-old is a proven goalscorer in the Championship. He has scored 59 goals in 100 appearances in the second tier and Forest would be getting themselves a proven promotion winner also.
Short-term: Forest could hit gold with Gayle
Forest don’t have much time. If Grabban is out for a period of time the Reds must act quickly and Gayle might be ideal.
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Although he’d only be a short-term deal, he might not prove a bad addition. He would solve the void in the absence of Grabban and he has been there and seen it at Championship level.
It would be against Dane Murphy’s typical recruitment stance. With the clock ticking, however, it might have to be a case of needs must ahead of tonight’s deadline.
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