Derby County Set to Secure Deal for Free Agent Striker Dwight Gayle

Derby County are on the brink of finalizing a deal to bring in experienced free agent striker Dwight Gayle, leaving Sheffield Wednesday‘s pursuit of the player in the dust.

Sheffield Wednesday had been actively seeking to bolster their attacking options during the January transfer window, with their efforts focused on acquiring a prolific striker who could inject goals into the team.

The Owls had set their sights on Orlando City‘s attacker, only to see him slip through their fingers as Blackburn Rovers swooped in to secure his signing post-deadline following an administrative mix-up.

With the disappointment of missing out on their primary target lingering, Sheffield Wednesday turned to the free agent market, with reports emerging of their interest in former Stoke City forward Dwight Gayle.

However, it seems that Sheffield Wednesday’s hesitance may have cost them the opportunity, as Derby County, facing an injury setback to their main striker James Collins, are now engaged in advanced negotiations to bring Gayle on board.

Dwight Gayle’s impressive track record in the Championship, despite a recent lackluster stint at Stoke City, has garnered attention from multiple clubs in the EFL.

The 34-year-old has proven his goal-scoring prowess in the second tier, with notable spells at Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion, tallying a considerable number of goals over his career.

Sheffield Wednesday’s reluctance to make a decisive move for Gayle may indicate a level of skepticism towards taking a gamble on the aging forward, especially given his recent struggles in front of goal.

As Derby County looks to strengthen their squad for a push towards promotion, securing the services of Gayle could provide a valuable boost to their attacking options in their pursuit of automatic promotion to the Championship.