It seems like bringing in players isn’t the only concern Sam Allardyce is having at the moment. He has to be wary of other clubs preying on his stars as well, given their current dismal position in the Premier League table.
According to reports, Newcastle United are interested in a loan deal for their former player and current Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend. Palace are in the relegation zone at the moment and Newcastle’s form more or less guarantees them promotion to the Premier League next season. Hence, Rafa Benitez’s move for Townsend makes sense for both the player and the club.
A loan move with an option to buy could be near perfect for the player with his current state of the situation at Selhurst Park. When Alan Pardew was the manager, Townsend didn’t see much first team action at Palace. And when he voiced his willingness to play on the right flank, Pardew dropped him. Under a new manager, though, Townsend is getting his preferred position lately and it looks like Allardyce sees the England international in his plans.
Townsend moved to Palace from Newcastle United for a fee of 15.6 million euros in search of first team action, but it hasn’t worked exactly as he wanted. While Benitez didn’t have the power to stop him from leaving a Championship club to move to the Premier League, he sure has enough arguments to offer him a good deal now.
The championship is now a two-horse race between Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion. The summit of the second-tier table is changing every week now. The Magpies sure have the financial prowess to bolster their squad and take the race to the wire and a move for Townsend looks quite possible as his parting memories with the club were pleasant.
Townsend hasn’t found good form at Selhurst Park so far. He has managed to score just once and provide two assists in 20 appearances for the Eagles. And although he claims to be quite happy at the club, it is a matter of time before it changes given their current form.
However, his current controversial figures don’t overshadow his true impact on the gameplay. He has a passing accuracy of 78% this season and has won 59% of his average duels.
A Tottenham Hotspur youth product, Townsend spent short stints at Yeovil Town, Leyton Orient, MK Dons, Ipswich Town, Watford, Millwall, Leeds, Birmingham City, QPR and Newcastle United before he joined Palace.
He could definitely be an influential addition to the Magpies and possibly give them the edge in the promotion race.
