Dwight Gayle to Nottingham Forest: Is it a good potential move? Would he start? What does he offer? | OneFootball

Championship duo Nottingham Forest and West Bromwich Albion are both weighing up a move for Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle ahead of the January transfer window, according to The Telegraph.

The same outlet are reporting the 32-year-old is expecting to be made available on a loan deal with an obligation to buy, potentially making him a longer-term signing for the club that wins the race for his signature.

Gayle has made just three short cameos for the Magpies so far this season, failing to start a single game during 2021/22 and spending the vast majority of his time sitting on the bench as he finds himself behind the likes of Callum Wilson and Joelinton in the pecking order.

Quiz: Has Lewis Grabban ever scored a goal for Nottingham Forest at each of these 26 stadiums?

Though his MCL injury at the beginning of last term limited his game time, he has only been a squad player at St James’ Park anyway since his return from a successful loan spell with West Brom during the 2018/19 campaign.

Forest, one of the two teams linked with the 32-year-old, have been on the search for a new forward since the summer, reportedly being rejected by Yuma Suzuki, M’Bala N’Zola and were also thought to be interested in Sheffield United’s Rhian Brewster before his increased involvement in the Blades’ first team recently.

But would a move for Gayle be a wise choice? It’s time to weigh it up.

Is it a good potential move?

The Magpies’ forward is a proven goalscorer at this level, so this could be an excellent move for a side looking to push up the table ahead of a potential promotion charge.

As mentioned before, they were reported to have been rejected by multiple strikers during the previous transfer window, ultimately failing to address an area they needed to add to after scoring just 37 goals in 46 league games last term.

Although it could be argued Chris Hughton’s style of play should be held partly responsible for this, it’s no secret that Lyle Taylor has failed to fire on all cylinders since his move to the City Ground.

Even if he was, there currently isn’t enough depth to ensure they can cover for injuries and suspensions for the remainder of the season in an effective manner.

Gayle’s lack of game time in recent years is one drawback of this potential signing – and after suffering a severe MCL injury – it remains to be seen whether he’s the same player he once was.

And the fact they may have to buy him permanently as part of a deal could also be a red flag to CEO Dane Murphy, as the second-tier side look to ensure remain within the EFL’s Profitability and Sustainability rules.

Would he start?

It’s not guaranteed – and it very much depends on the system manager Steve Cooper adopts.

Currently, the East Midlands side are adapting to a 4-2-3-1 formation, having spent much of the Welshman’s tenure thus far operating with a back three.

If Cooper sticks with his current formation, Lewis Grabban and Gayle will be directly competing for a starting spot unless the latter plays out wide, something he has done on the odd occasion during his career.

But it would be a strange decision considering how prolific the Newcastle star has been in a central role – and that could mean either Philip Zinckernagel or Brennan Johnson drops out of the starting lineup – something that isn’t likely to happen despite Welsh international Johnson being the subject of social media criticism recently.

Alternatively, a 3-4-1-2 formation would enable the Reds’ boss to include both Grabban and Gayle in the starting lineup as two proven goalscorers at this level.

The 41-year-old enjoyed great success at Swansea City with the forward pairing of Andre Ayew and Jamal Lowe, so it would be no surprise to see him play two up top if their reported target arrives at the club.

What does he offer?

It’s hard to say what he currently offers considering he’s only been a bit-part player for his current side in the past two-and-a-half years – but he would certainly bring a lot to the table if he can replicate his form from his 2016/17 and 2018/19 campaigns.

Many of his goals during his two most prolific campaigns in the second tier may not have been the most spectacular, but his movement and positioning allowed the 32-year-old to get in the right place at the right time consistently, a dream for the likes of Zinckernagel and Johnson if they can get down the flanks and pick him out in the middle.

He is also a free-kick specialist, a key asset for a side that have often been frustrated by their lack of goals and may require someone like Gayle to score a set-piece and with that, change the complexion of a game.

With his promotion-winning pedigree, you wouldn’t bet against him being a game-changer.

And most importantly, he’s a reliable chance converter, taking the burden off 33-year-old Grabban to deliver the goods every week.