West Brom's loan deal for Dwight Gayle not vulnerable to Chinese interest

The Baggies have agreed a season-long loan swap with Newcastle United for Salomon Rondon that is locked in until next summer.

Over the weekend, reports emerged suggesting mega-rich Chinese clubs were contemplating offering the 27-year-old a staggering £200,000-a-week deal to play in the Chinese Super League.

But Gayle cannot be recalled by his parent club in January, and so cannot be sold by Newcastle until next summer.

Season-long loans regularly include recall options in January, and Harvey Barnes, who is on loan from Leicester, can be recalled by the Foxes in the next window.

Leicester recalled Barnes from a season-long loan at Barnsley in January last season after he impressed for the Tykes during the first half of the campaign.

But Gayle’s swap with Rondon is locked in, and his stay at The Hawthorns is for the season. Gayle has a contract with Newcastle until the summer of 2021.

Barnes signed a new four-year deal with Leicester shortly before coming to Albion on loan.

Both players have made a big impact in the final third already this season.

Gayle has scored three goals and won three penalties in four starts for the Baggies. He has 39 goals from 66 appearances in the Championship.

Barnes has also scored two goals already this season, adding to the five he got at this level for Barnsley, and is flourishing in his new central role behind the strikers.

“It’s been a really positive start,” said Barnes. “As a team we’ve progressed a lot from the first game of the season until now.

“Personally as well I feel like I’ve got a lot more confidence in this new shape.”