Newcastle preparing to sell Dwight Gayle to raise funds for Rafa Benitez
The striker was left out of Saturday's squad as he has failed to impress Rafa Benitez so far this season
DWIGHT GAYLE could be on his way out of Newcastle as Rafa Benitez prepares to sell him to raise funds for new signings, according to reports
The striker was the club's leading goalscorer last term in the Championship but has struggled for form at the start of this season.
The striker scored 23 goals last term but failed to make any impact against Tottenham or Huddersfield in the first two matches of this season.
He was taken off in both matches after struggling to get into the games.
The 26-year-old was left out of Rafa Benitez's starting XI for the game against West Ham and didn't even make the bench.
Newcastle went on to smash West Ham 3-0 at St James' Park as they won their first three points of the season.
The Daily Mail report that Newcastle could move him on and turn their attention to other targets.
Rafa Benitez spoke to the media ahead of the West Ham game about Gayle: "He's had his ups and downs.
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"He has to get back to the level we were expecting and the level he was last season."
Gayle completed his transfer from Crystal Palace to Newcastle for £10million in 2016, signing a five-year contract.
Gayle began his career in the Arsenal Academy before joining Stansted in the Essex Senior League.
Time is now running out for Gayle, who wasn't given a chance on Saturday to prove himself before the transfer window shuts.
Newcastle aren't looking to waste time either as they are currently linked with Nicolas Tagliafico from Independiente.
Tagliafico is a 24-year-old Argentine left-back that could set the magpies back £3.5million should they make a move for him.