Rafa Benitez signing set to leave Newcastle United

Newcastle United appear to be headed for a summer of change. Last time around, they entered the season looking to somehow avoid relegation. This time around, there will be hopes that they are able to challenge for a European spot. That’s how far the club have come in a relatively short spell of time.

There have been two reasons for that. The first is the change in ownership. And the second is the arrival of Eddie Howe as manager, as the Englishman has done an incredible job till now. It remains to be seen how far he can take the club from here.

Thus, while one would expect there to be incomings, there are going to be players who do not appear to have a future at St James’ Park, who will have to head for the exit door.

One of them appears to be Dwight Gayle, who was signed back in the summer of 2016 when Rafa Benitez was the manager of the club. As reported by GIVEMESPORT, Keith Downie said:

"“Dwight Gayle will go in the summer, and then if he wants three strikers, you’d have Callum Wilson, Chris Wood and then another coming in and then maybe even a fourth who can play off one of the wings, but I think he’d be an option, a good option to have off the bench.”"

Benitez signing looks set to leave Newcastle United in the summer

Gayle enjoyed an incredible season for Newcastle United in the Championship upon his arrival but he has never managed to get it going at the Premier League level.

Gayle has barely featured under the management of Howe although a lot of positive things have been said about him in training. As a result, it might be the right time for both him and the club to part ways.

Newcastle United are expected to bring in players up front, as they search for a consistent goal scorer and that would mean that Gayle would fall further behind in the pecking order.

At this stage of his career, a move back to the Championship might be a great move for the 32-year-old, who has thrived in the second tier of English football in the past.