Slaven Bilic is desperate to sign a goalscorer before the window shuts on Thursday, and was keen to bring the 23-goal marksman back to The Hawthorns on a temporary basis.

But Newcastle are only willing to sell Gayle for a fee, while the 29-year-old is also holding out for a permanent move.

Albion are open to a loan deal with an option to buy included in case they win promotion, but are unable to afford a multiple-year deal on £65,000 a week.

It’s believed a permanent deal for Gayle would also require a hefty signing-on fee.

The Baggies are not willing to wait until the final hours of the window to see if Gayle becomes available on loan, and are pushing ahead with other targets.

They were interested in Albian Ajeti, who scored 21 goals for Basel last season, but West Ham are set to pip them to the £8million signing.

The Baggies have also been linked with Poland under-21 star Adam Buksa.

Talks with Sporting over a loan move for winger Matheus Pereira remain ongoing, and the Baggies are also keen to sign another centre-half in the final two days of the window, most likely on loan.

Advertising

Technical director Luke Dowling confirmed at the start of the season the Baggies were unable to sign Gayle permanently, but the Baggies explored the option of another loan deal after Bilic was appointed

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce is keen to keep him, saying: “Gayle has always been part of my plans. I’ve tried to buy him twice but could never afford him. We’ve got a nice balance in attack.”

Meanwhile, teenager Nathan Ferguson has revealed new signing Darnell Furlong held no grudges about the youngster starting the season ahead of him at right-back.

“Furlong is a quality, quality player,” said Ferguson. “He’s been great, he’s been helping me out as well and he was happy for me to make my debut.”