Leeds make enquiry for Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle

Leeds United have reportedly looked to end their pursuit of a direct replacement for Chris Wood by registering an enquiry for Newcastle attacker Dwight Gayle.

Shields Gazette journalist Miles Starforth claimed on his personal Twitter account that the 26-year-old was the subject of an approach from the Yorkshire giants, who are still in the market for a replacement on Chris Wood.

Gayle finished second to Wood in the Championship goalscoring ranking last season, which saw Wood finish on 27 strikes for the season while former Crystal Palace ace Gayle managed 23.

It is said that the player is valued at around £20million by Newcastle, which would make him the club’s second most expensive player in their history, behind only Rio Ferdinand and in front of stars such as Robbie Keane, Mark Viduka and Olivier Dacourt.

Wood joined Premier League side Burnley earlier this month for a fee believed to be around £15million plus add-ons, agreeing a four-year deal before he scored on his debut against Tottenham on Sunday.

Football Weeks talks on how good a signing Gayle would be for Leeds in their pursuit of Premier League promotion, as well as weighing up how likely it is the move would get completed.

Is Dwight Gayle joining Leeds a good move?

The Whites should still look to add a striker to their ranks this summer despite the form of makeshift number nine Kemar Roofe, who has scored four goals in two games when chosen as Leeds’ focal point.

Despite the form of makeshift number nine Kemar Roofe, the Whites should still look to add a striker to their ranks this summer. Roofe scored four goals in two games when chosen as the club’s focal point.

However, he has been preferred out wide since joining the Whites, while the recent acquisition of Jay-Roy Grot is not seen as the short-term replacement for Wood with the striker still only 19 years of age.

Dwight Gayle’s impressive form in the Championship last season would make him the perfect replacement for Wood, he scored 23 goals despite only featuring in 32 second-tier outings due to injury.

Even at £20million, Lees would be making a real statement in the striker who guarantees goals and would see Thomas Christiansen’s side take a major step in ending their 13-year wait for a return to the Premier League.

What are the chances of the move getting completed?

It is unlikely that Leeds will pay such a huge figure and plenty of negotiating will have to be done before a deal can be reached.

But with only 24-hours left to go in the window, all three parties are running out of time to complete a deal that would see Gayle make a move to Elland Road.

Leeds do have the money and owner Andrea Radrizzani is willing to spend after bringing in 14 first-team players this summer, but £20million could be a stretch too far.

If the Whites and Newcastle can come to an agreement at around the same price that saw Leeds sell Wood for in the next two days, then it is much more likely that a deal for Dwight Gayle will be struck.