Reports: Liverpool and Manchester City weighing up move for Andros Townsend
Liverpool and Manchester City are plotting a move for Newcastle United’s Andros Townsend report the Daily Mirror. The winger is said to have a release clause in his contract following the Magpies relegation last season.
It is being widely reported the Englishman has a £10.5 million ‘relegation buy-out clause’ in his contract at Newcastle United. This release clause has now got several clubs keen on signing the winger who’s just failed to make it to the EUROs despite being in Roy Hodgson’s 25 man pre-EURO squad.
Reports suggest that Liverpool have already made a move for his signature while Manchester City are ‘watching developments’ on this deal. Klopp is looking to sign a winger at Anfield while Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are keen on signing English players to make the squad numbers. Liverpool were said to be interested in Townsend before as well and were linked with him just before he joined Newcastle United last season.
Townsend might be a starter at Liverpool but it looks very unlikely for him to make it to the starting XI at Manchester City who already have David Silva, Raheem Sterling and Samir Nasri fighting for the 2 sorts. With Jesus Navas, Kevin de Bruyne and Fabian Delph also in the Manchester City squad, Townsend will be a bench warmer or a regular substitute at Etihad.
Despite interest from Liverpool and Manchester City, Townsend is not their main target for either of the Premier League teams. Manchester City are keen on signing Southampton’s Saido Mane and Schalke 04’s Leroy Sane while Liverpool are still interested in bringing Mari Götze to Anfield and also are in talks to sign Sofiane Boufal – who’s also a target for Chelsea and FC Barcelona.
Apart from Liverpool and Manchester City, three other Premier League clubs – Crystal Palace, Southampton and West Ham United have also registered an interest in the former Tottenham man. The 24-year-old is said to be keen on playing in the Premier League next season but Newcastle United hope that Rafa Benitez can convince him to stay. Rumours of Everton being interested in the winger are slowly coming up.
Andros Townsend is prepared to wait till the end of July and find out all his options before making a decision. Townsend is said to be waiting for an opportunity to prove to Roy Hodgson that he can make it to the England squad in the future and thus playing in the Premier League might be crucial for him.