London: Crystal Palace intend to trigger the release clause in Andros Townsend’s contract at Newcastle United and will learn whether the England international is willing to swap Tyneside for south London when he returns from holiday this month. Townsend, who joined Newcastle from Spurs in January for an initial 8 million pounds (Dh33.3 million), was omitted from the England squad for the European Championship last week.
The 24-year-old had been called up as a replacement for the injured Danny Welbeck, reward for fine form over the second half of the season, which yielded four goals in 13 games, but his involvement in England’s pre-tournament friendlies was limited to 14 minutes as a substitute against Australia. He was informed by Roy Hodgson that he would not be involved in France, along with Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater, and is considering his future at club level despite Rafael Benitez indicating a desire to retain his services.
The player has an 8 million pounds release clause for clubs, who finished last term in the top half of the Premier League, though only if he was involved in the England squad.
A second clause, understood to be set at around 10.5 million pounds, can also be triggered by clubs, who finished in the lower half of the table. Palace’s disappointing league form over the past six months led to them finishing 15th. A fee of around 10.5 million pounds would put Townsend alongside Yohan Cabaye as the club’s record signing, with his wages, at close to 80,000 pounds a week, expected to fall in line with those of the France international. Palace, who are in talks with Yannick Bolasie’s representative aimed at agreeing new terms at Selhurst Park, had declared an interest in securing Nathan Redmond from Norwich City, though he is likely to join Stoke instead for around 10 million pounds.
The England Under-21 international is entering the final 12 months of his contract at Carrow Road and is anxious to remain in the top flight. Palace’s Alan Pardew hopes to make three or four significant signings this summer as Palace revamp their squad, with interest established in QPR’s Steven Caulker, James Tomkins at West Ham United, Asmir Begovic of Chelsea and Leeds’ young midfielder Lewis Cook. They are braced to field an offer from Everton for the centre-back Scott Dann, who signed a new long-term contract last summer.
