It was another interesting dilemma that Rafa faced during last summer.
Mike Ashley wouldn’t pay out the £16.5M release clause in Salomon Rondon’s contract at West Brom, but Rafa then wanted the player on loan.
The manager wanted to keep Dwight Gayle at Newcastle for this season, but West Brom got a good deal when they demanded Gayle on loan for them in the Championship in return for Newcastle getting Rondon on loan.
Initially, Dwight wanted to stay at Newcastle, but he finally agreed to move to West Brom for a season to help them get promoted.
There were no options to buy in either loan contract.
Dwight Gayle scores against Stoke City
Negotiations went on for far too long, and then in the final week, the loan swap was agreed.
Dwight has scored 9 goals in 14 Championship games for the Baggies, and he was Championship Player of the Month for September,
The question is whether Rafa will want Dwight back at Newcastle next summer.
Earlier this year while he wasn’t scoring goals he still played exceptionally well for Newcastle.
Gayle has become a better player under the guidance of Rafa Benitez – who still rates the player.
For West Brom to sign Gayle permanently they would have to get promoted and then pay out a sizable fee for the former Peterborough striker.
At least £15M.
It will be interesting to see what Newcastle do in the summer with Rondon and Gayle.
We’d like to see Gayle come back to Newcastle, and Rafa still thinks this player is good enough to score goals for us in the Premier League.
It’s up to Rafa, and if he still wants Gayle in the summer, we’re sure Dwight – whose contract runs out in June 2021 – will return to Newcastle to see out his contract.
And yes – we are assuming that Rafa will stay at Newcastle next summer even if Mike Ashley is still the owner.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
5 comments so far
posada
Nov 13, 2018 at 10:13 AM
Comment #1People like to talk about it, but does the Strawberry land have any great value to the club.
It’s on the other side of a road and there is the Metro line to consider.
It’s too far from the pitch to be used as the base for a stand.
RobLeenio
Nov 13, 2018 at 10:15 AM
Comment #2Ed “For West Brom to sign Gayle permanently they would have to be promoted” – not sure about that, the Baggies are a big club with an excellent support. I think they could afford Gayle in the Champo and in my opinion are more likely to buy him if they are not promoted. After all, he’s proven in that league where questions remain in the Prem. I think on promotion they’d welcome Rondon back with open arms.
If they stay in the Champo, any fee for Gayle will be offset by any fee we choose to pay for Rondon.
RobLeenio
Nov 13, 2018 at 10:20 AM
Comment #3Optimistic Panda “There’s a few missing for whatever reason”
Hmmm, yes I wonder why we haven’t seen the likes of Catchy and his crew over the last couple of days?
😉
lesh
Nov 13, 2018 at 10:44 AM
Comment #4Jib
You’ve certainly had some schooling in your time – all good ones too.
But you didn’t mention your spells at the RGS, Central High, Church High and La Sagesse!
LetuscloneShearer
Nov 13, 2018 at 10:54 AM
Comment #5If you play Fantasy PL you should tripple cap Mitrovic against us. You know it is in our luck for him to smash a hat-trick.