NEWCASTLE are close to completing the £22m double capture of Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle and Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie.

Having already confirmed the £4.5m arrival of goalkeeper Matz Sels from Gent, the Magpies are ready to continue splashing the cash despite their relegation to the Championship last season.

Gayle was due to travel to Tyneside for personal talks later on Wednesday after Newcastle officials agreed the framework of a £10m deal with their counterparts at Crystal Palace.

The 25-year-old will also complete a medical within the next 24 hours, and is set to be the Magpies’ main attacking signing as they prepare to mount a Championship promotion challenge.

Gayle joined Palace from Peterborough for around £4.5m in July 2013, and has scored 15 goals in 63 appearances for the Eagles.

He came close to joining Bristol City last summer, only for the deal to collapse when the forward expressed reservations about moving to Ashton Gate, and Gayle signed a new long-term deal with Palace in April.

However, with Palace boss Alan Pardew set to make attacking signings of his own this summer – Michy Batshuayi was a leading target before agreeing to join Chelsea instead – Gayle has been deemed surplus to requirements at Selhurst Park.

He will compete with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Papiss Cisse for a starting spot at Newcastle, and it remains to be seen whether his arrival hastens the departure of Ayoze Perez.

Ritchie is also on the verge of agreeing a switch to St James’ Park, with Newcastle having bid around £12m for the winger.

Ritchie started all bar one of Bournemouth’s Premier League matches last season, and was regarded as one of the Cherries’ star performers as they successfully avoided relegation from the top-flight.

However, Eddie Howe is willing to let him leave this summer, and Benitez is increasingly confident of being able to persuade him to drop down a division.

West Ham had a double bid for Ritchie and Callum Wilson rejected last week, but Newcastle are willing to pay a straight cash fee of £12m for the Scotland international. Ritchie scored 15 goals as Bournemouth were promoted from the second tier two seasons ago.

Benitez wants to complete Ritchie’s signing before he rubber-stamps the departure of Andros Townsend, with Crystal Palace set to trigger the England international’s £10.5m release clause.