While Newcastle United’s January transfer window was largely dominated by talk of a potential return to St. James’ Park for Andros Townsend, a report in the Daily Mail today would suggest a deal was never close.
The fact the 25-year-old did not return to Tyneside appears to have serious effects on Rafa Benitez’s situation with the Magpies, with his long-term future cast into serious doubt of late. However, Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce has revealed the only interest that emanated from the North East in the England international was a loan move.
It had been previously been thought the south London outfit were asking for £13m up front plus a £2m loan fee, though former Magpies chief Allardyce has hinted the Championship title hopefuls were only keen on bringing the man who fought so valiantly against relegation last term.
‘Never. Not ever,’ he said, when asked at if Townsend came close to leaving during the New Year sales.
‘The only interest was a loan from Newcastle which was never going to happen. His long term future is with Palace.’
Whether or not the former Toon and Sunderland boss is merely adding fuel to the fire right now remains to be seen, though the situation in regards to Townsend gets stranger and stranger.
