Dwight Gayle blow for Leeds, Forest as Newcastle stance is made clear

Nottingham Forest and Leeds United transfer target Dwight Gayle is now “unlikely” to be heading out on loan to the Championship in the January window, according to reports.

Gayle has been hot on the radar of a number of Championship clubs, with the Reds and Leeds believed to among the suitors for the talented hitman.

The striker is struggling for game time at St James’ Park, only featuring eight times without scoring this season – but the Magpies are set against a Championship loan move.

Newcastle are said to have placed a £15million asking price on the forward, as they seek a permanent departure as opposed to a loan move.

And according to a report in the Northern Echo, Gayle is not destined for the second tier in January.

They write: “Gayle is understood to be keen to leave Tyneside this month in an attempt to secure regular first-team football, but while he is attracting plenty of interest from the Championship, the financial practicalities of any deal make it unlikely he will be heading to the second tier.

“Newcastle will want to recoup the majority of the £15m they spent on the striker, if they are to sell him permanently this month, and will only agree to a loan if any temporary employer was to commit to paying the striker’s £50,000-a-week wages in full.

“While the likes of Nottingham Forest and Leeds United have been linked with a possible move, it is hard to see how either could make those sums add up.”

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce had commented on Gayle’s transfer rumours, stating that he would like the player to stay on Tyneside.

However, reports in the Northern Echo claim the club are happy to let the 29-year-old leave but only if the price tag is met and United can bring in a second striker as backup for Joelinton and Andy Carroll.

Championship clubs initially expressed interest due to Gayle’s successful loan at West Brom last season – helping the Baggies to a play-off finish.

But with Gayle almost certainly off the table, Forest’s search for a backup to Lewis Grabban continues, as does Leeds’ for a Patrick Bamford backup.