By Craig Scott

13th Dec, 2019 | 10:11am

Ian Holloway raves about Leeds transfer 'rumours' that 'would be a brilliant signing'

Ian Holloway believes that Dwight Gayle would be a “brilliant signing” for Leeds United if the Championship leaders managed to sign the Newcastle forward in January.

The Telegraph reported earlier this month that the Magpies are willing to cash in on Gayle, 29, next month if they receive bids of over £15million.

West Brom have been linked with re-signing their former striker, who scored an impressive 24 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions in his loan spell at The Hawthorns last season.

Leeds have also been linked but, according to Football Insider, the striker is an unrealistic target due to the finances of any potential deal.

That has not stopped former Blackpool manager Holloway from suggesting that Gayle would be a superb addition at Elland Road if Leeds were able to land him.

“At the moment Leeds are spreading the goals around but there’s rumours they might go for Dwight Gayle, which I think would be a brilliant signing because he’s proved he can do it in the Championship,” said Holloway on the Mirror website.

Everyone knows what Gayle can do in the Championship and his goalscoring record at West Brom last season proves that.

However it is time for pundits and fans to give up on wanting to see Gayle play for the Whites in the second half of the season.

Marcelo Bielsa is simply not a fan of change and he has put a lot of faith in Patrick Bamford – so why would he replace him?

If Eddie Nketiah is recalled by Arsenal then he will have to be replaced by there is no way that someone as expensive as Gayle will be the player to do that.

Leeds simply do not have the financial clout to go on a splurge in January and, with an 11-point gap between them and third, do they really need to push the boat out on signing new players?

In other Leeds United news, Cardiff could be without a key player on Saturday.