By Russell Edge

15th Jan, 2018 | 10:04pm

Newcastle must break rivals' hearts and turn reported £15m bid into attacking swap swoop

COMMENT
Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayl must be used in securing a swap swoop for Fulham’s Tom Cairney after the striker was lined up as the Championship star’s replacement.
The Guardian’s Ed Aarons has claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Cottagers are lining up the Magpies’ 27-year-old as the man to step into their current man’s shoes with Newcastle’s Premier League rivals West Brom submitting a £15million bid for the Fulham man.

However, with Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez having reportedly shown firm interest in securing the one-cap Scotland international’s services in the past, the Spaniard must look to break the Baggies’ hearts and secure a swap deal with the London club.
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder, who has struggled with knee injuries this season, has made 17 appearances during the current campaign, and although he has not been at his influential best, he certainly has the creative spark which Newcastle need.
Too many times this season has there been a disconnect between the midfield and attack, and despite the best efforts of Jonjo Shelvey and Ayoze Perez, both utilised in a number 10 role, the squad are screaming out for a natural playmaker, which is where Cairney could flourish.
Gayle meanwhile has not been firing on all cylinders this season with three goals to his name, and has found it difficult to keep his place in the starting XI after finishing the last campaign as top scorer.
The chances he passed up against Swansea City show that he is not the natural born finisher Newcastle desperately need up top, and while that will hopefully come later in the transfer market, the Magpies have the opportunity to snap up a figure who will help create more chances for the both the existing and future forwards at St James’ Park.
With a bid of £15million tabled for Cairney, Newcastle could easily secure a straight swap, using Gayle’s proven goal scoring record in the second tier as well as Cairney’s lack of Premier League as reason enough to value the duo at the same amount.
In other Newcastle United transfer news, the club are tipped to secure the signing of a veteran international for a bargain deal.
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