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Time for Tottenham to let Andros Townsend go

By Rucker Haringey

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Andros Townsend of Tottenham Hotspur walks across the pitch during the Barclays U21 Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on January 18, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
ENFIELD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Andros Townsend of Tottenham Hotspur walks across the pitch during the Barclays U21 Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on January 18, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Tottenham needs to make a deal to let winger Andros Townsend go to Newcastle

Unlike some Spurs fans, I am a fan of Daniel Levy’s hard-line negotiating style. However, it’s time to let Andros Townsend secure a deal to leave White Hart Lane for Newcastle.

The Express is reporting that Newcastle manager Steve McLaren believes his side is close to a ten million pound deal for the English international winger. It’s been widely reported that Levy wants to hold out for a price closer to 14 million pounds, but I believe it’s time to end these protracted negotiations.

First, Andros Townsend has, for the most part, been a good servant of the club. He’s had his moments of petulance, but by and large he’s given his all on the pitch when wearing the Spurs badge. He’s frustrated us all at times, but he’s also provided some real moments of brilliance.

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At 24-years-old, it is time for Tottenham to allow Townsend to leave the nest. He has fallen completely out of favor with current manager Mauricio Pochettino and his only playing time as of late has been with the youth setup. It’s clearly best for Townsend’s career if he gets a fresh start somewhere else. Newcastle seems like a perfect spot.

Perhaps more importantly, moving forward with a Townsend sale might be essential for Tottenham’s season as well. Selling the enigmatic winger could raise valuable funds that could be used to purchase the striker Spurs so desperately need.

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Levy seems to be holding out on making a concrete bid for a striker until he’s able to raise funds with some player sales. Townsend and defender Federico Fazio seem to be the players most likely to head out the door.

Even if Levy gave in and accepted Newcastle’s rumored ten million pound bid that would be enough for Levy to obtain cover for Harry Kane. It could cover a nine million pound release clause payment for Barcelona’s Sandro or serve as a down payment for someone like West Brom starlet Saido Berahino.

The point is that sometimes a protracted negotiation doesn’t suit either party. In this case, Tottenham owes Andros Townsend a fresh start somewhere else. He’s done enough in a Spurs uniform to deserve a chance to kick-start his Premier League career elsewhere. Newcastle is making a respectable, even if slightly below-market, offer and Levy should accept it.

Then he should promptly take that money and address Spurs’ biggest need of the January transfer window. If he is hesitant to move for a striker without selling a player, it’s foolish to hold on to Townsend and quibble over a few million pounds. The need to secure a back-up striker for Harry Kane is certainly worth quite a bit more than that.

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