It seems Crystal Palace's quest to find a new striker has taken an interesting twist, if recent reports are to be believed.

What's the word?

According to The Sun's Alan Nixon, Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle could be set for a return to Crystal Palace in the summer.

Gayle joined Newcastle from the Eagles in the summer of 2016 and has scored 34 goals and supplied 10 assists across all competitions during his time at St James' Park.

However, the centre-forward has fallen down the pecking order under Steve Bruce after nearly five years on Tyneside and it is understood that a possible return to his former club could be on the cards.

Imagine Gayle and Wilfried Zaha

Palace have been desperately trying to find a new frontman for what feels like forever.

Belgian striker Christian Benteke's form has been patchy at best, as he hasn't hit double digits since the 2016/17 season, and the least said about Steve Parish's decision to sign Alexander Sorloth from from Danish side FC Midtjylland, the better.

In the last few months alone, Wilfried Zaha has had to shoulder the burden of scoring the majority of Palace's goals, which has only made his absence even more obvious on the few occasions where he has missed a game this season.

Given his excellent goal record for the Eagles, Gayle fits the bill for Roy Hodgson's side, as his versatility means he could be deployed at the top of the pitch or on either flank.

During his time at Selhurst Park, the £7m-rated 31-year-old bagged 25 goals and three assists in 74 appearances in all competitions via Transfermarkt.

His childhood coach Dave Bricknell lavished praise on his former young charge, saying: “He was a lovely lad. By then, people had started ringing up about David Beckham, who was becoming the real megastar. But even then I thought: ‘One day, they could be ringing me up about Dwight’.”

“I remember one tournament in Holland where we played a penalty shoot-out and Dwight took penalties with both of his feet. He always had that fantastic technique.”

Palace must swoop for Gayle in the summer, as they simply cannot afford to pass up on the opportunity to sign a proven Premier League goal-scorer who won't cost Palace a penny. Get it done, Eagles, before somebody else does.

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