Newcastle close on Tottenham's Andros Townsend with Steve McClaren confident of sealing £10m deal15:16, 22 JAN 2016
BY JOHN CROSS
Steve McClaren is closing in on a move for Tottenham outcast Andros Townsend.Newcastle boss McClaren is pushing hard for a £10m deal and is increasingly confident of getting the deal done in January.
It is understood fresh talks have taken place and Newcastle are hopeful of agreeing a deal.England winger Townsend, 24, is keen on the switch but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is holding out for a bigger price.
Townsend knows he has no future at White Hart Lane after falling out of favour with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino after a bust-up with a fitness coach.
Townsend wants to make the switch to push his claims in Roy Hodgson's England squad for next summer's Euros.
Newcastle have given McClaren big money to spend in January and they are also set to bid for West Brom's Saido Berahino.
But the Berahino deal is far more complicated as the ex-England under-21 striker would prefer a move to London and Tottenham.
West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace is also playing hardball and threatening not to sell in this window even though Berahino has just 18 months left on his contract.
Newcastle are desperate to sign a striker to feed off Townsend's service but, despite being ready to test West Brom's resolve, they know the Berahino deal could become a long running saga.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/newcastle-close-tottenhams-andros-townsend-722679910m