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Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle continues to be linked with a £15million move to Championship side Fulham.

The Cottagers launched a bid for the 27-year-old during the final week of the summer window, but Newcastle rebuffed their advances once it became clear Rafa Benitez would not be able to sign a replacement before the deadline.

However, Fulham are desperate to acquire a proven Championship goal-scorer and Gayle - who netted 23 times last season to help fire the Magpies to the second-tier title - remains top of their wanted list.

Interestingly, The Guardian claims that the Cottagers will come to Newcastle with a big-money offer for Gayle if long-term Magpies target Tom Cairney joins West Bromwich Albion.

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The Sun reports that former United manager Alan Pardew, who is now Baggies boss, has launched a £12m bid for Fulham midfielder Cairney - but that he is willing to pay up to £15m for the Scotland international.

It is claimed that, should Fulham agree to sell the 26-year-old - who Newcastle enquired about signing both last January and during the summer, but baulked at the Cottagers’ then-£20m asking price - then they will use that money to finance a move for Gayle.

Benitez is keen to bring in another striker this month but is unwilling to allow any of his first-team squad to depart until replacements are signed.

Several loan enquiries have already been received for Aleksandar Mitrovic, but Benitez will not allow both the Serbian and Gayle to depart - even if an additional striker is signed - given that he has just three senior forwards currently at his disposal.

Gayle has scored just three goals in 20 Premier League appearances this season.