Newcastle United have been told they must meet Tottenham Hotspur’s valuation of Andros Townsend if they want to sign the winger.
Steve McClaren was given the best part of £50million to spend on his squad during the summer, with the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Georginio Wijnaldum amongst the five new arrivals. This has had little impact on the fortunes of a side which finished just four points above relegation last season, as they are again shaping up for a battle against the drop to the second-tier.
Although the jury remains out on former England national coach McClaren, he appears to retain the backing of the board who have this month again allowed him to enter the transfer window. Henri Saivet joined from Bordeaux in a £4.5million deal last week, and on the same day another midfield player, Jonjo Shelvey, was signed from Swansea City in a £12million transfer.
It would seem that this will not be the end of Newcastle’s spending, and it has been reported that a £10million offer was made for Townsend last week. This was rejected by Tottenham, but they are willing to let the England international leave this month. However, according to the Guardian, they have told their Premier League rivals that they want £14million for the 24-year-old.
Townsend has barely featured for Mauricio Pochettino’s side this season, having played just 64 minutes spread over three league matches, and he hasn’t appeared since he clashed with fitness coach Nathan Gardiner in November. The winger has since been playing with the under-21’s, a situation he knows can’t continue if he is to feature in Roy Hodgson’s plans for Euro 2016.
£14million for a player of Townsend’s age and undoubted ability would seem a good buy for the Magpies, who can also feel satisfied with their acquisition of Shelvey for a similarly good valued signing. But if they choose not to take the Spurs man, it is believed they will turn to the versatile Scott Sinclair, of Aston Villa, or Queens Park Rangers winger Matt Philips.
