Derby County In Five-Way Tussle For Ex-Premier League Striker

Derby County are one of five teams interested in signing free agent Dwight Gayle following his departure from Stoke City yesterday, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 34-year-old reached an agreement with the Championship club last night to terminate his contract early after falling down the pecking order at the bet365 Stadium. The veteran joined Stoke from Newcastle United in 2022 but had scored just three goals in 50 appearances for the Potters.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, the decision was made after struggling for minutes since the appointment of Steven Schumacher in December. He played just 30 minutes of football under the ex-Plymouth Argyle boss, although has left the club with their blessings.

With the transfer window now closed, there are a number of clubs who are hoping to benefit from his sudden availability, including Derby. The Rams are in a real battle to secure promotion from League One, where they currently sit in fourth. They are just one point behind second-placed Bolton Wanderers having played two games more, although they have played one less fixture than leaders Portsmouth. Pompey are four points above the East Midlands side as things stand.

Gayle could bolster Paul Warne’s attacking line after they failed in their pursuit of Sheffield Wednesday strikers Lee Gregory and Michael Smith. Interesting, Romano states that the Owls are also in the hunt for the former Crystal Palace man as they look to avoid relegation from the Championship.

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1753253979918676139

Derby’s League One promotion rivals Barnsley are considering an approach, as are Charlton Athletic as they look to recover their recent dreadful form and steer themselves away from a potential relegation scrap. Their biggest challenge may come from the top end of the second tier though, with Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town also adding their name to the list.

The Tractor Boys looked to be well on the way to returning to the Premier League for the first time since 2002, but recent form has seen them pick up just one win from their last seven league outings. This has allowed Southampton and Leeds United to close the gap to just one and two points respectively.

Gayle would add Premier League-proven quality to McKenna’s squad, and it looks to be a deal they will explore.

Writer’s View

Dwight Gayle has never played in England’s third tier, but he could be willing to drop to the division on the basis that he can aid Derby’s promotion hopes. It’s a short-term deal that would work for both parties and is perhaps the most attractive option available at this moment in time.

On paper, Ipswich of course looks a better option, but his chances there may be more limited than what he would receive at Pride Park. Sheffield Wednesday are the other Championship club interested, although it remains to be seen as to whether the striker fancies joining a club in a relegation fight.

 

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