Sources: Major update on Middlesbrough bid to sign Dwight Gayle after Newcastle United talks
Middlesbrough have cooled their interest in Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle, sources have told Football Insider.
Newcastle are willing to offload the 32-year-old during this summer’s transfer window as he has slipped well down the club’s forward pecking order.
Boro have been leading the chase for Gayle, but talks have stalled as Boro chairman Steve Gibson is understood to be reluctant to sanction a deal.
The longstanding club chief would prefer Boro not to sign players over the age of 30.
Football Insider revealed details of the Teessiders’ interest in Gayle back in December 2021 – with fellow Championship side Stoke City also monitoring his situation.
However, Middlesbrough will now pursue alternative targets as they attempt to replace last season’s loan stars Aaron Connolly, Folarin Balogun, and Andraz Sporar.
Gayle, who has been at Newcastle since 2016, is currently training with the Magpies’ Under-23 side while the first-team gear up for the new season.
The former Crystal Palace hitman is under contract until June 2024.
He failed to start a single league game during the 2021-22 season – a campaign which saw a big-money Saudi takeover of the Tyneside club.
Gayle’s impressive record at Championship level will have been a contributing factor in Boro’s now-extinguished interest.
He has notched 59 goals and 16 assists in the second tier and earned promotion with Newcastle in 2017.
Middlesbrough are set to receive a big-money windfall as Tottenham continue to negotiate a deal for right-back Djed Spence.
A recruitment source told Football Insider on 29 June that Spurs are now only £1million apart from the Championship club’s valuation of the former Nottingham Forest loanee.
Boro kick off their league campaign against West Brom on 30 July.
In other news, pundit claims Newcastle “outcasts’ will thrive amid “massive” pre-season verdict.