Southampton move could re-ignite Townsend’s faltering career

Southampton are looking to make use of their vast transfer kitty by making a £10m bid for England international Andros Townsend.

Tottenham are thought to be reluctant to do a deal for the 23-year-old but with the north London club looking at trimming down their squad before the transfer deadline they could be forced to play ball with Saints.

And it could be a good deal for all involved with Townsend looking to get his career back on track after a frustrating end to last season.

Townsend burst onto the scene last season for Tottenham after enjoying a fruitful loan spell at QPR in 2013.

The winger’s performances saw him rewarded with a call-up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.

The Spurs star, who has enjoyed loan spells at Leyton Orient, Ipswich Town, Millwall and Birmingham, was involved in England’s opening goal in a 4-1 win over Montenegro last October, scoring the third with a low swerving shot from outside the box.

Townsend received the man of the match award for his performance that night and was widely tipped to book his place on the plane in England’s World Cup squad.

But after a series of injuries his season petered out and with his place in Spurs’ starting XI not certain a move to St Mary’s under Ronald Koeman may just prove to be the making of the England star.

Koeman’s new era at Southampton got underway with a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool but there were positive signs in the performance for the Dutchman and as he looks to add to his squad in the coming weeks, Saints could still have a very good Premier League campaign.

With Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert both now at Anfield, Koeman is looking for attacking reinforcements and Townsend’s pace and trickery could prove to be an excellent addition for a side that has been hotly tipped for the drop after a massive exodus of players.

But with first-team football available at Southampton, who are 17/20 for victory against West Brom next weekend, a move from Spurs could re-ignite Townsend’s career at both domestic and international level which would leave Saints fans and Roy Hodgson smiling from ear to ear.

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