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This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

Steve Bruce has confirmed that he wants to keep striker Dwight Gayle at Newcastle United this summer, per Chronicle Live.

What’s he said?

The Daily Star had claimed that Leeds United were eyeing a loan move for the striker as they look to strengthen their squad for another promotion push in 2019/20.

But Bruce, who has been active in the transfer market since his appointment as manager, with the signings of Joelinton, Allen Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems all confirmed under his tenure, says he would like Gayle to stay at the club.

He said: "As I keep saying, you’re only as good as your strikers.

"In that area, we need a threat and Gayle has always been part of my plans. We hoped he’d be ready after China but he’s gone backwards.

"It’s a disappointment because I like him.

"I’ve tried to buy him before but not been able to afford him!"

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Second chance

Gayle has been on the books at Newcastle since 2016 but his time at the club has been rather stop-start.

Signed after the club slipped into the Championship, he scored 23 goals in 32 Championship outings in his debut season but struggled in 2017/18, scoring just six times in the Premier League and completing the 90 minutes on a mere eight occasions.

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A loan spell at West Bromwich Albion last season saw him net 24 goals in the second-tier but now it appears he is set to get another chance under Bruce’s management.

Clearly a talented striker, there is a suspicion that perhaps he is too good for the Championship but not quite good enough for the top-flight.

That theory will certainly be tested this season but it seems that, at last, he is set to get a second chance at the Magpies.

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