OPINION
If Newcastle United need any encouragement about re-signing Andros Townsend this summer, they need look no further than a report in the Times.
The newspaper detail how Crystal Palace are looking to make major cuts as they raise funds for much-needed redevelopment of the intimate and intimidating but increasingly outdated Selhurst Park.
It is said Palace are set to shred a wage bill that was £112million in 2016-17 and manager Roy Hodgson faces a difficult balancing act in the transfer market in which he must sell to buy.
Newcastle are namechecked after making an approach to re-sign Townsend, who made a big impact during his half-season at the club before their relegation at the end of the 2015-16 season.
While a £30million asking price for a player who is maddeningly inconsistent and has such a variable end product is something of a fantasy figure, the door is certainly now ajar for Newcastle to do a deal.
The north-east giants could well be willing to smash their transfer record to recapture the 26-year-old, who joined Palace from the Magpies two years ago for £13million.
Townsend’s 2017-18 stats and performances pretty much summed up his career to date. Two goals and nine assists from 39 matches in all competitions was decent, but far from sensational. Wilfried Zaha, he is not.
Nevertheless, the former England international is a matchwinner who can cut defences to shreds when he is at the very top of his game.
He would be a welcome addition to Rafael Benitez’s squad, providing quality and increased competition for places in the main attacking positions.
It is a major boost to Newcastle that Hodgson could be forced to cash in on the left-footed forward in order to re-shape his squad this summer.
