A number of national newspapers including the Guardian are reporting that Newcastle have made a £20M bid for former winger Andros Townsend but that Crystal Palace have turned down the bid.
And Newcastle have some competition from former Premier League Champions Leicester City in trying to resign the former Tottenham winger.
Newcastle made an inquiry a couple of days ago, and they are reported to be willing to pay £20M for a winger who Rafa Benitez rates highly.
Rafa Benitez and Andros Townsend in April 2016
Andros moved to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2016 for about £13M after we were relegated, and he signed a five-year deal at the London club.
If we are willing to pay £20M for Townsend, it could mean that Newcastle do not want to pay £20M for Chelsea winger Robert Townsend who is said to be available for that amount.
Rafa has always rated Townsend, and certainly, he got the very best out of him in the second half of our relegation season when the England winger was outstanding.
Andros Townsend playing for Rafa in a more successful Newcastle team could become an excellent player on Tyneside.
It seems obvious that’s what Rafa thinks, but it also suggests Newcastle don’t want to buy Kenedy outright for £20M.
The Chronicle are reporting that while Newcastle are interested in Townsend they have been quoted a £20M fee but haven’t yet bid for him and think the £20M fee is too high.
Newcastle probably expected Townsend to be a cheaper option than Kenedy.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
10 comments so far
Mr Funk
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:09 AM
Comment #1Personally, don’t believe NUFC have made a bid of £20 milllion for Townsend. If we are going to spend £20 mil might as well do it in aplayer where that bid will be accepted and NUFC want e.g. Kenedy
DubaiMicky
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:12 AM
Comment #2Never go back. Who is next on the list? HBA? Cabaye? Nile Ranger?
Don’t do it Rafa, the guy wanted to leave, just shows he has no commitment to us. And we don’t want players without the desire.
Another mercenary.
one fine day
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:19 AM
Comment #3Chelsea winger Robert Townsend ??
Maybe jib can google him and give his stats as I have never heard of him.
Seriously …no thanks he bailed on us . His loss .
Never forget shelves stayed on and helped get us back .townsend classic self centred wash bag England set up .
Kennedy all day long for me. Much better potential too for the same money if Chelsea are willing to sell that is.
Optimistic Panda
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:24 AM
Comment #4What a underwhelming way to break our transfer record.
JohnJ
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:30 AM
Comment #5Perhaps this is a smokescreen to try & get Kenedy’s price lowered a bit?
martoon
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:30 AM
Comment #6Mickey – I agree it never works out when a player returns to an old club, Rooney being the latest example. Only exception I can think of is Beardsley.
Ron Knee
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:36 AM
Comment #7Pitney sings: “I saw a welcoming light …”
Could that be an alien spacecraft?
Spoof
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:38 AM
Comment #8Kenedy on the left with Townsend on the right would do me fine, a decent striker between them with Shelvey giving them a good service and you would always feel that you have a chance, would still need a lot of work to be done but those for a front 3 would be a good start.
Jib
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:42 AM
Comment #9The Croatian AM wonder kid Lovro Majer (20)
has been tracked before now by
Celtic Everton and Man City
His mum wants him to go to Italy and a deal with
Sampdoria had been set up
Rafa has just doubled the terms to £10M fee and £1M pa
in an effort to hijack the transfer
Watch this space
https://www.calciomercato.it/news/307882/sampdoria_majer_il_newcastle_prova_lo_sgambetto_ultime_cm_it
Geordie-john
Jun 16, 2018 at 9:52 AM
Comment #10Surely NOT !
He was good while he was here BUT, He couldn’t get out the door quick enough when we went down. Definitely Robert Kenedy first then MAYBE consider if Kenedy unavailable but definitely not for £20M.
He knows that his game has only showed the odd spark since leaving us whereas under Rafa his game flourished.
Another player trying to use NUFC as a stepping stone. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH !