Rafa Benitez to be ‘offered the chance’ to re-sign former NUFC star this summer – Report

According to the Chronicle, Crystal Palace are now ‘open’ to selling Andros Townsend this summer – with the ex-NUFC winger set to be offered to Rafa Benitez if Roy Hodgson finds a replacement.

It was reported last week that we’d made a move to bring the 26-year-old back to St James’ Park this summer.

Palace appeared to responded negatively, quoting in excess of £20m for the winger, however the Chronicle now claim that they could be willing to let him go.

With Roy Hodgson now believed to be pursuing Michail Antonio, the report claims that Townsend will be offered back to Newcastle if a deal for the West Ham winger goes through. Here’s a snippet from Chris Waugh’s piece today:

“Crystal Palace are contemplating selling Andros Townsend this summer – with Newcastle United having already enquired about their former winger’s availability.

“The Eagles had initially rebuffed Newcastle’s advances and quoted the Magpies a £20million fee for the winger, but it is understood that Palace are now open to selling Townsend.”

“This summer Benitez is determined to strengthen down the flanks and, though Kenedy remains a priority target, the United manager is receptive to a reunion with Townsend as an alternative option.

“Palace will likely need to lower their asking price for the winger, however, given that Newcastle’s budget is expected to be similar to last season, when the Magpies had a net expenditure of just £46m.

“Should the Eagles pursue a deal for Antonio though, then Palace are expected to attempt to reopen dialogue with Newcastle about potentially selling Townsend back to United, despite having dismissed the Magpies’ initial enquiry earlier this month.

“Whether Benitez decides to spend such a significant portion of his budget on Townsend remains to be seen but, given that the winger is proven at Premier League level and on Tyneside, there is a chance a deal could be pursued for the England international.

So, it sounds like three things need to happen if there’s any chance of Townsend coming back to Newcastle this summer.

1) We’ll have to miss out on ‘priority target’ Kenedy. 2) Palace will need to sign his replacement (Antonio) if they’re to sell. 3) They’ll have to reduce their alleged £20m asking price.

If all the above happened, would you take him back?

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

2 thoughts on “Rafa Benitez to be ‘offered the chance’ to re-sign former NUFC star this summer – Report

  1. Palace may be up for selling but fatty will not pay that sort of money so next name we are being linked to please so we can all have a laugh because that is what we are becoming a laughing stock teams willing to pay the money for good players and nufc willing to make silly offers well below the selling teams asking price as normal

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