Liverpool’s imminent signing of Xherdan Shaqiri could pave the way for Andros Townsend to join Newcastle United, according to a Sky Sports journalist.
Pete Graves claimed on his personal Twitter account on Friday morning that the Switzerland international had arrived at Liverpool to undergo medical tests and potentially set the wheels in motion for a midfield transfer merry-go-round.
Graves explained that Matt Ritchie could replace Shaqiri at Stoke, Townsend could take Ritchie’s place at Newcastle and Michail Antonio could succeed Townsend at Selhurst Park.
Shaqiri arrives at #LFC for medical. This could kickstart the midfield-merry-go-round. Ritchie to #SCFC, Townsend to #NUFC, Antonio to #CPFC. All the latest transfer news on @SkySportsNews
— Pete Graves (@PeteGravesTV) July 13, 2018
Good move for Newcastle?
Townsend is a good player who can be a matchwinner on his day. But those days do not come around as often as he or his employers would like, either at Palace or former clubs Newcastle and Tottenham, not to mention those multiple clubs where he spent periods on loan. Super-kick and capable of carrying the ball forward long distances, Townsend is exciting and has an excellent left foot, but his final ball too often lets him down and he is renowned for being wasteful in the final third.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
It is certainly possible, especially as Rafael Benitez will be eager for a replacement of proven Premier League quality should Ritchie drop down a division to join Stoke, a deal that has been mooted now for around a month.
This Is Futbol rating 7/10