This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
West Bromwich Albion may have just suffered a significant setback in their pursuit of former loan ace Dwight Gayle after latest reports from The Athletic.
What’s the word?
Leeds United correspondent Phil Hay has revealed that the Baggies’ nearest challengers are unable to afford the 29-year-old in January, meaning it is ‘likely’ that he heads to Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest instead.
Gayle’s future at his current club Newcastle United has been well spoken about since the summer, and it appears that Steve Bruce is willing to listen to offers for him in January after featuring for just 22 minutes this Premier League campaign.
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The Baggies interest in the forward who scored 24 times in 41 appearances last term has been evident since the off-season when manager Slaven Bilic tried to bring him back to the Hawthorns.
However, his enormous wage demands were all too much for a deal to be brokered.
Blessing in disguise?
A move for Gayle has the potential to be a financial disaster for the club, as if they were to fail in achieving their goal of promotion, they could well be left to balance the books somehow.
West Brom are also thriving in the league following Wednesday’s 4-1 thrashing of Bristol City as it has opened up a seven-point cushion inside the automatic promotion spots.
In recent matches, the likes of Hal Robson-Kanu and even Charlie Austin have started to find their feet finally.
They have both scored in back-to-back games despite only one being handed a starting berth with the former Southampton striker practically tripling his tally for the season in the space of a week.
The team as a whole are also all chipping in with goals – every single player that has featured in six or more matches this season has scored or assisted.
With Gayle in the side last term, Albion were far too reliant on him scoring, and even though there is no doubt that he would be a much-welcome addition, he’s one that may no longer be required because of the upturn in form in Bilic’s attacking line.
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In other news, West Brom’s promotion hopes have been talked up by a rival Championship manager this week…
