Eddie Howe has had a very honest conversation with Dwight Gayle about his Newcastle United future, and it certainly lies away from St James’ Park.
The forward has barely featured since Howe was appointed, limited to very late appearances off the bench.
His chances of playing got even worse this summer when he was told to train with the Under-21s alongside Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick. Those two have left on loan now, but Gayle remains.
There has been interest from Championship clubs, but the 32-year-old is yet to secure a move away from Tyneside.
However, he is all but certain to leave Newcastle this summer given Howe’s latest comments.
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What Howe said about Gayle’s Newcastle future
The Toon boss has spoke to the Chronicle, and was asked about the situation surrounding Gayle.
“I’ve had a couple of conversations with Dwight,” he said.
“At the end of last season, we had a good conversation, and made him aware of the situation, for his own benefit, so he could take his career into its next phase.
“I was very honest with him. I said from day one, from my perspective, I had a great relationship with him, and I love working with him. He was brilliant for the team last year, and because of all those things, he deserved the utmost respect and honesty from me about the how the future lay for him, and I wanted to give him the best chance to find his next home.
“I really hope he goes on and has a great season next year, and I wish him nothing but success.”
Howe went on to add that he hopes Gayle secures a move away, branding him ‘one of the best finishers’ he’s worked with.
Time to go for Gayle
You’ve got to respect Howe’s honesty. He hasn’t sugarcoated the situation at all. Having that kind of clarity is good for Gayle too, as he knows exactly where he stands.
The club are currently struggling to sign a striker, but that doesn’t mean there is a way back for Gayle. He needs to go somewhere and play regularly. That will most likely be in the Championship where he has excelled in the past.
Middlesbrough have been linked, and a move there would have been ideal. They are in the second tier, and joining them would’ve meant he didn’t have to relocate his family. However, that move appears to be off for now.
Howe clearly has a lot of admiration for Gayle and the role he has played. But he needs to go and get guaranteed minutes. That isn’t going to happen at St James’ Park, even if we fail to sign a striker.