Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle has been linked with several moves away in recent seasons with many clubs from the Sky Bet Championship interested in the 25-year-old’s signature.
Gayle is a non-league talent who was discovered by Dagenham and Redbridge, who in turn handed him his first professional contract.
He then moved to Peterborough United where he made a name for himself, earning him a dream Premier League move to Crystal Palace for a reported £3 million.
Despite the forward’s clear pedigree in front of goal, he has been pushed down the pecking order at Crystal Palace since Alan Pardew arrived, who clearly doesn’t fancy Gayle as a forward, despite the club struggling for goals.
The English born goal-scorer has only been able to make 11 appearances in all competitions this season and, despite scoring four goals, is still not being considered.
Palace have a range of talent in attacking areas such as Frazier Campbell, Emmanuel Adebayor, Marouane Chamakh, and Conor Wickham, so it is difficult to see where Gayle would fit in going forward.
A loan could be just what Gayle needs to get a regular run of games to show Pardew what he is missing out on.
FootballLeagueWorld writer Kieran Creeg identifies FIVE Championship clubs that should sign Dwight Gayle on loan...
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 5 TEAMS!
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Middlesbrough
High-flying Middlesbrough have picked up three wins in their last four league matches, and sit in second in the Championship table, three points clear of third place Hull City.
One issue for Aitor Karanka’s side this season has been a lack of goals, after setting up similar to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea who were branded boring by opposition supporters.
A pacey forward like Gayle who can also operate on both wings would offer a much-needed attacking threat with speed which the club have lacked.
Karanka has previously confirmed that Gayle is on his list of transfer targets, and a promotion push may tempt him.
Cardiff City
South Wales outfit Cardiff City already have four players in on loan this season as a direct result to the Transfer Embargo hanging over them.
With record low attendances at the Cardiff City Stadium this season following two previous mediocre campaigns at the hands of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and with the dire brand of football that Russell Slade brought with him, the Bluebirds faithful have been crying out for entertainment.
One area which Slade’s side are lacking is out in the wide areas with Craig Noone coming back from injury, and Anthony Pilkington now taking up a role through the middle.
Gayle could be the perfect introduction to help the former Premier League side mount a late push for the top-six.
Bristol City
Sky Bet Championship strugglers Bristol City submitted a formal bid, reported to be in region of £5 million, for Gayle this season whilst Steve Cotteril was in the hot seat, before he was relieved of his duties after a third successive league defeat back in January.
However, since the appointment of former Bristol City player Lee Johnson, there has been a change of tactics and squad selection to form a more attacking style which could cater to Gayle and enable the 25-year-old to thrive.
Bristol are 20th in the Sky Bet Championship, five points clear of the drop zone, and therefore will be looking to build a more sizable gap to the bottom three. Gayle could hold the key.
Burnley
Clarets boss Sean Dyche has admired Gayle for some time now, and was also interested last season whilst his side were in the Premier League.
Burnley are currently sitting top of the Sky Bet Championship, one point clear of second place Middlesbrough, following eight wins in their last 10 league games.
Despite the interest in Gayle, no deal materialised, with the club opting to sign Andre Gray for £9 million.
However, if a deal can be completed to bring Gayle in on loan, both Gray and Gayle could strike up quite a partnership to help the Clarets finish the season as champions.
Birmingham City
Former Premier League side Birmingham City have had an impressive season so far, and are sitting in eighth place, just one point away from the final play-off spot.
Gary Rowett lost highly-rated winger Demarai Grey in the January transfer window to high-flying Leicester City, however failed to suitably replace him.
Gayle could be a suitable replacement and offer the width that the Blues have lacked since Grey’s departure, and help get Birmingham over the line and finally regain their place in the Premier League.
Championship fans... do you agree? Would you like your club to sign Dwight Gayle? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!