Championship side Leeds United have been told to stump up £20 million if they want to land Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle this week, reports The Shields Gazette.

The 27-year-old only moved to St James’ Park last summer after falling out-of-favour at Premier League side Crystal Palace, but he certainly did his bit in helping Rafa Benitez’s Magpies return to the top-flight.

The Englishman bagged 23 goals in just 32 Championship games to inspire the North East giants to the league title, but his future at the club has plunged into doubt over the summer, and heightened even further at the weekend when he was left out of their squad for the visit of West Ham.

Thomas Christiansen’s Leeds United have reportedly expressed an interest in the striker, and recent reports note exactly how much the Yorkshire outfit will have to pay to acquire Gayle’s services, namely £20 million.

The Whites have made an excellent start to the new Championship season but have seen star striker Chris Wood leave the club in recent weeks, which leaves a gaping hole in their attacking department which new man Christiansen is likely seeking to fill.

And now the club know how much it will take to convince Newcastle into selling Gayle, but whether Leeds are indeed willing or even able to match that £20 million price-tag very much remains to be seen.

The Verdict: Dwight Gayle certainly proved his worth to Newcastle United last season, and would likely have won the Championship’s Golden Boot had he stayed injury free.

Yet that hamstring injury which reared its head again last term could be part of the reason manager Rafa Benitez is unconvinced by the 27-year-old heading into their top-flight campaign, and his omission from the squad against West Ham on Saturday further throws his future into doubt.

But the North East giants will still hope to get £20 million for his services, a figure which could price Leeds United out of a move for the Englishman, despite the club selling star striker Chris Wood for £15 million in recent weeks.

Only time will tell (two days to be precise) whether the Yorkshire outfit can indeed stump up the cash to land the striking sensation.

Leeds fans… what do you make of the news? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!