OPINION
With reports linking Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle with a move to West Brom, West Ham could do with a lethal striker themselves this season.
As reported by Chronicle Live, Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle is yet to agree terms with Darren Moore’s side, but he could eventually become part of the deal that takes Salomon Rondon to St. James Park.
With the Toon seemingly keen to let Gayle leave for pastures new, West Ham should try their luck and attempt to bring him to the London Stadium.
The 27-year-old is a lethal finisher in front of goal, which is the only thing that the Hammers are missing in their side ahead of the new season. His goal record in the Championship is outstanding, 36 goals in 61 games at that level, but it doesn’t read that well in the Premier League having scored only 21 goals in 99 appearances.
However, he’s been really unlucky in terms of the teams he’s had to play in when at this level. Take the stint at his previous club Crystal Palace for instance, when he started just 27 Premier League games in three seasons. Despite that, he still managed 15 goals.
Now he’s at Newcastle United, he plays in a team that is geared more towards defending than it is attacking. He’s feeding off scraps and set-piece situations when he would be better off playing in a team that make more chances. When The Magpies where in the Championship, they were dominating in every game and he was seeing more of the ball, hence the reason he scored 23 goals in 32 games in the 2016/17 season for the Toon.
There have been people that say Gayle, who earns £40,000-per-week at St. James Park (Spotrac), is too good for the second-tier, but not quite good enough for the top-tier. That’s not true, it’s due to the circumstances that he’s had to contend with when he’s played in this division.
At the London Stadium, he would be playing with better players, on the front foot and getting loads of service. He would score a ton of goals for West Ham, which is why he should be a target this summer.
