Report: Newcastle are still paying Stoke City striker Dwight Gayle

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Dwight Gayle joined Stoke City on a free transfer during the summer, but Newcastle United are still paying a portion of the striker’s wages.

He was one of few players to leave St James’ Park on a permanent deal, with various out of favour squad members going out on loan. Jeff Hendrick went to Reading, while Isaac Hayden joined Norwich City.

But Gayle’s time as a Toon player came to a definitive end in July, signing a two-year contract with Stoke. Interestingly, that is the length of time that was remaining on his Newcastle deal.

And the Telegraph report that the Newcastle owners are actually still paying the 32-year-old.

Newcastle still paying Gayle big money

According to the Telegraph, Gayle still receives £40,000-a-week from Newcastle. Stoke then pay him £20,000-a-week, taking his total to £60,000-a-week.

That’s the figure he was earning at St James’ Park, meaning Gayle didn’t have to take a pay cut to leave the club. As for Newcastle, they’re only saving themselves £20,000-a-week.

And Gayle is one of multiple players who are still being paid by Newcastle despite leaving during the summer transfer window. The Magpies are helping to cover the wages of Hendrick, Hayden and Ciaran Clark, who all left on loan.

This isn’t uncommon with loan players, but it is a surprise to see a player who left permanently still being paid. The Telegraph add that Newcastle agreed a similar deal with Federico Fernandez when he joined Elche.

It sums up the dire financial state that the club was left in by Mike Ashley. Too many players on big contracts that they have every right to see out. It has made it incredibly difficult for Newcastle to move players on, and the club are still paying the price financially.

The Telegraph state that Newcastle pay more than £100,000-a-week to players who aren’t even at the club right now. That is a staggering figure.

Sadly, what else can the club do? It’s not Amanda Staveley and co’s fault. When they bought Newcastle, they inherited all of the contracts.

This problem will ease in the next year or so when these contracts start to wind down, but Ashley’s errors continue to be a financial drain on Newcastle United.