‘Too good to pass up’ – West Brom set for January battle with Nottingham Forest over Newcastle player: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict’ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

West Bromwich Albion are set to battle Nottingham Forest for Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle, according to The Telegraph.

The 32-year-old is said to be available in January for a loan deal with an obligation dependent on promotion with both Forest and Albion in pursuit.

He’s thrived at The Hawthorns in the past but would he be a good signing? And do they need him?

Our FLW writers share their thoughts…

George Dagless

I think it makes perfect sense to get after him.

He’s a player that has performed very well at this level on more than one occasion and he’s surely sitting at Newcastle thinking it’s time to look at moves elsewhere.

He’s not really getting into the side and he’s a player that knows he can be having a impact at a good club at a good level, so surely he’s itching for a move.

West Brom obviously know him well and the fans would love to see him back so I think it would make real sense to try and get something sorted for him.

Billy Mulley

West Brom have been linked with a lot of strikers in recent weeks, so it is clear to see where Valerien Ismael believes his side can improve.

It would seem that the Baggies do have good striking options when looking in on paper, but Ismael has not seen the same success in the attacking third as he saw with Barnsley last year.

Dwight Gayle, for me, fits the description perfectly.

He is a sharp, intelligent forward who can operate on the shoulder of the last defender, whilst he also has the know-how to drop deeper and connect the play.

He has the technical ability and the vision to turn creator too, whilst his ability to score goals in the Championship and the higher-level has never been doubted.

This is a deal that could help West Brom rebuild their automatic promotion push.

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Ben Wignall

Whilst West Brom really need a physical outlet up top to suit Valerien Ismael’s system, an opportunity to bring Gayle back could be too good to pass up.

Gayle obviously had a highly successful spell at The Hawthorns in the 2018-19 season, scoring 24 goals in all competitions as the Baggies missed out on promotion to the Premier League and he could really make a difference in the second half of the season.

Some may point to him being 32 years old now and not having much game-time recently, but simply put Gayle is a player who knows where the back of the net is.

If West Brom could also get a target man in as well in January then partnering that player with Gayle could be a recipe for success, but it depends if they have the budget to do so.

Should the opportunity present itself though then West Brom should absolutely be all over this one.