Nottingham Forest have been strongly linked with the signing of Newcastle United striker Dwight Gayle, ahead of the January transfer window.

The 29-year-old has made just four top-flight appearances under Steve Bruce this season, and has struggled to cement his place in the Magpies' starting XI.

But the striker enjoyed a hugely impressive loan spell away from St. James' Park last term, scoring 24 goals in 41 games for West Bromwich Albion as they narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League.

Since then, Albion, Forest and Leeds have been linked with Gayle's signature, with the Telegraph claiming that it would cost them £15m to lure him away from the North East.

But speaking to the Chronicle, Bruce has once again insisted that he will not be willing to let Gayle leave in January, if not, then for a "ridiculous offer".

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He said: "I don't want him to go anywhere. Look, I've always liked him. I tried to buy him three times. I think he’s a natural goalscorer, which is something every club would have.

“He's by far the best Championship striker there's been for the last five, eight years. I saw what he did last season at West Brom, because he was in the Midlands. Right foot, left foot. How many did he score?

"I don't want him to go anywhere, and it would have to be a ridiculous offer and amount of money. Let's be fair, everyone's got their price, but I don't want Dwight to go anywhere, that's for sure."

Forest are in need of another striker heading into the second-half of the campaign - the Reds got rid of the likes of Daryl Murphy, Jason Cummings and Hillal Soudani in the summer, but were unable to replace them.

They desperately need competition for the likes of Lewis Grabban and Rafa Mir, but it looks like they are set to miss out on one of their main targets heading into January.

Here, then, we take a look at Forest fans' reactions to this latest news, on the Nottingham Forest News Facebook page...

Lee Goodburn: Someone said the other day that Harland has a realise clause of 17m, now I get it’s an unrealistic target as he probably wouldn’t go from champions league football to the championship, but the guy is young, talented and clearly a clinical finisher, which puts it into perspective really when it comes to Gayle, I want Gayle but 15m and 29 years of age is too much, we do need someone that clinical tho

Neil Paul Anderson: We need a back up not and granddad. We need someone young who can learn how we play.. Not someone who will come and need to change the system..

John Green Good: Keep him

Tommy Jones: Its not really that much if he gets us to the prem so if pay it

Ed Walker: That means they want to sell him

Dominic Marvell: Ivan Toney is better value

Alistair Whitt: I think we’ll have to pass we do need a striker desperately but he’s 29 so not got to many years left & to be honest I can see why Steve Bruce is doing it he can only spend the money he gets from selling player that virus mike Ashley won’t put any money in at all

Dave Walker: move on