Palace bid to trigger Townsend contract’s release clause

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 later this month.

Townsend, who joined Newcastle from Tottenham Hotspur in January for an initial €10.2 million, was omitted from the England squad for the European Championship last week. The 24-year- old had initially been called up as a replacement for the injured Danny Welbeck, a reward for fine form over the second half of the season which yielded four goals in 13 appearances, 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 he would not be involved in France, along with Leicester's Danny Drinkwater, and is considering his future at club level despite Rafael Benítez having indicated a desire to retain his services.

The player has an €10.2 million 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 €13.4 million, 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 €13.4 million would put Townsend alongside Yohan Cabaye as the club's record signing, with his wages, at close to £80,000 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 City instead for around €12.7 million. Guardian Service