A report by the Mail Online on Sunday suggests that West Brom, having appointed Slaven Bilic as manager, may now want to keep Dwight Gayle at the Hawthorns after all.
Having previously cited working within a manageable budget as the reason for deciding against pursuing Gayle on a permanent deal, it is claimed that Bilic wants to retain the striker to spearhead a new promotion push next season.
The report says that the Baggies will hope to negotiate a package with the player, as part of a deal that would also include Geordie fan-favourite Salomon Rondon returning to St James’ Park.
The result would be a transfer in which no one loses. Both players would get their wish, and both clubs would have their preferred targets.
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In fact, if a swap deal were to be agreed, it would land Newcastle the striker they have craved, while also retaining much, if not all, of their transfer budget for the summer.
The ultimate win-win scenario!
Rumoured Marseille interest sounds doubtful
There was also news from France today, however, that Marseille are interested in luring Rondon to Ligue 1, with new manager Andre Villas-Boas keen to bolster his squad.
Whether the interest is genuine or not, remains to be seen, with the article in French publication La Provence also claiming – incorrectly – that the Venezuelan is available on a free transfer due to the expiration of his current West Brom deal.
Toon fans will be hoping the reignited interest from West Brom is true, and that they yet see a happy ending to the Rondon race, in which Newcastle previously seemed to be losing ground.