Why West Bromwich Albion should sign Dwight Gayle on a permanent basis
According to the Northern Echo, Dwight Gayle is pushing for a permanent move to West Bromwich Albion at the end of the season. The striker joined them in the summer on a season-long loan from Newcastle United that saw Salomon Rondon move in the opposite direction.
Gayle has since been in terrific form for the Baggies this season and the 28-year-old is now interested in moving to the Hawthorns for the foreseeable future. The on-loan Newcastle striker has scored 9 goals and provided 1 assist in 14 appearances this season. (Stats Courtesy – Whoscored)
Alongside Jay Rodriguez and Hal Robson Kanu, Gayle has built a respectable relationship that has seen the trio thrive this season.
There is no clarity as to whether Newcastle United are interested in making Rondon’s move permanent but the fact that Gayle has managed to find his feet with the Baggies should be enough for the club to sign him on a permanent basis.
The 28-year-old never really suited Rafa Benitez’s pragmatic style of play. At West Bromwich Albion though, Darren Moore has built a more appealing style of football that allows Gayle to drive at defenders and wreak havoc up front.
West Brom were always known to be a defensive side and that could be due to the reputation built by former manager Tony Pulis, but the Baggies have scored a league-high 37 goals this season.
Gayle has maintained his form so far and has looked the biggest threat among the West Brom’s offensive trio. Nobody is better than him when it comes to making the runs behind defenders, which allows the Baggies’ passers to seamlessly dispatch the ball into his path.
He has also averaged 2.1 shots per game, which is a much better ratio when compared to his time with the Tyneside club. Gayle has been given the freedom to play his game under Darren Moore and that has allowed the striker to flourish this season. (Stats courtesy – Whoscored)
Moreover, his arrival has also seen the likes of Jay Rodriguez and Robson Kanu step up their performances. The latter was in a bad patch of form but Rodriguez has looked superb alongside Gayle this season. The former Southampton striker has linked up with Gayle fluidly in the final third and has scored 8 goals.
West Bromwich Albion should definitely sign Dwight Gayle on a permanent basis at the end of the season. The striker will surely play a huge role in taking them back to the Premier League next season and the Baggies must ensure they hold onto him at that point.