Crystal Palace are set to complete the signing of Andros Townsend from Newcastle United within the next 48 hours after triggering a £13m release clause in the England winger’s contract.
Townsend, who was one of the three players omitted by Roy Hodgson from his initial 26-man squad for the European Championship, had been made aware of Palace’s interest in restoring him to the Premier League this month but asked for time to consider the move back to London. A number of other clubs retained an interest, including Southampton and West Ham, but the 24-year-old has returned from holiday and expressed a desire to move to Selhurst Park. He will be given a four-year contract and becomes Palace’s record signing.
Newcastle had hoped to retain the winger, who scored four goals in 13 appearances since arriving from Tottenham in January, to help propel them back to the top flight at the first time of asking, and were even prepared to increase his weekly wage. But they could not deflect bids that triggered the release clause.
Dwight Gayle is leaving Palace for Newcastle for an initial £8.5m in a separate deal and also set for St James’ Park is the Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie. Bournemouth, meanwhile, have signed the 20-year-old striker Lys Mousset from Le Havre.
Palace have also agreed terms with the France No2 goalkeeper, Steve Mandanda, with the player having undertaken a medical at the team’s base in Clairefontaine. He will cost around £1.4m (€2m) after Marseille triggered a clause in his contract to ensure they received a fee.
The south London club, who finished 15th last season and were beaten in the FA Cup final by Manchester United, intend to turn their attentions to securing a high-profile striker having missed out on Michy Batshuayi, who is joining Chelsea for £33.2m. They are expected to make a formal offer to Liverpool for Christian Benteke, who accepts his time on Merseyside will be limited to a solitary season, with the Belgium international’s club seeking at least £30m.
