Palace should forget Townsend and buy his Newcastle team-mate Wijnaldum instead

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Crystal Palace have been linked with Newcastle United’s Andros Townsend.

According to a recent report in The Telegraph, Crystal Palace are keen to sign Newcastle United’s Andros Townsend as they look to activate a £10.5 million release clause in his contract.

The report goes on to say that Palace are willing to offer him an £80,000-per-week contract, an illustration of how much they seemingly want to sign the England international this summer.

Townsend enjoyed a terrific last few months of the season despite the Magpies’ relegation, scoring more goals under coach Rafa Benitez than he managed in the previous three seasons at Tottenham Hotspur.

But, considering the Eagles already boast three out-and-out wingers in Bakary Sako Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha, do they really need another one when he may not even be guaranteed a regular spot?

Palace should forget Townsend, and instead try to sign his Newcastle team-mate Georginio Wijnaldum.

The Holland international was one of Newcastle’s better players this past season, scoring an impressive 11 goals and adding a further five assists in 36 Premier League starts.

Wijnaldum is versatile and played a number of matches both as a wide left midfielder and through the middle over the course of the campaign, offering a different threat to Townsend.

While the former Spurs man beats fullbacks and provides crosses – similar to Zaha, Sako and Bolasie – Wijnaldum, in contrast, attacks more through the middle as he averaged just 0.2 crosses per match last term.

The Eagles are short on attacking midfielders with James Puncheon the only natural number 10 type player in their squad, and at 29 there is certainly scope to buy a younger and better alternative.

Wijnaldum joined Newcastle for £14.5 million last summer (the BBC) therefore he certainly wouldn’t be cheap, yet Palace have the funds to make a big signing and the 25-year-old ticks all the boxes.

In a recent report by the Chronicle, Wijnaldum suggested he wanted a return to the Premier League – a factor which could help Alan Pardew’s men in any attempt to sign the talented midfielder.