NEWCASTLE UNITED are keen to re-sign Andros Townsend, but the Magpies will have to finally break their long-standing transfer record to prise the winger from Crystal Palace.

Townsend left St James’ Park in the summer of 2016 when Palace triggered a £13m relegation release clause in his contract.

Since then, he has made 79 appearances in an Eagles shirt, but while he has performed creditably on a number of occasions, his return of five goals has been a considerable disappointment.

Roy Hodgson is looking to overhaul this squad this summer, and sources in London claim the Palace boss is willing to consider selling Townsend if it improves his chances of conducting some transfer business of his own.

Rafael Benitez is looking to sign a winger this summer, and while he has not ruled out securing Kenedy on another loan deal, the Brazilian looks to have a host of alternative options if Antonio Conte decides he does not want him at Chelsea next season.

The Newcastle boss is assessing alternative options, with Townsend featuring highly on his wanted list. Benitez developed a close relationship with the England international during the final two months of the Magpies’ relegation campaign, and the pair did not fall out when Townsend decided his future lay away from St James’ Park.

Townsend has always spoken glowingly of his time as a Newcastle player, but Palace officials are adamant he will not be allowed to leave on the cheap if he moves on this summer.

Having shelled out £13m to sign the 26-year-old two years ago, Palace will demand at least £20m before they will even consider discussing a deal.

There might be some room for negotiation in terms of clauses within the deal, but Newcastle will have to go beyond the £16m they paid to sign Michael Owen in 2005 if they are to tie up a deal for Townsend.

They continue to discuss a number of potential outgoings, with Benitez having been promised he can add any income from sales to his summer kitty.

Mike Ashley is willing to commit around £50m to transfers this summer – although some of that money will have to go towards wage payments as well as transfer fees – but Benitez, who is about to enter the final year of his current contract, could potentially raise an additional £40m through player sales.

Aleksandar Mitrovic will leave after he has finished playing for Serbia at the World Cup finals, with Fulham heading a queue of clubs who are willing to pay around £20m for his services.

Mikel Merino could also be sacrificed after a somewhat underwhelming first season in a Newcastle shirt, with Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad both having discussed his potential availability with Magpies officials.

Newcastle are anticipating a formal offer from both clubs, and will demand at least £10m, having signed Merino from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

Chancel Mbmeba, Jack Colback and Matz Sels are also available for sale, with the former close to completing a move to Portuguese side Porto.

Anderlecht had been hoping to sign both Mbemba and Sels, but Newcastle rejected the Belgian club’s £6m offer for both players. That opened the door for Porto, who are confident of completing Mbemba’s signature for around €8m in the next few days.

“Negotiations are now happening between the two clubs,” said Mbemba’s agent, Fabio Baglio. “We were in Porto this week, and the player has agreed a deal for four years.

“This week, there will be a response from Newcastle to Porto’s proposal. We are convinced that everything will be settled.”

Mbemba’s departure will free up around £1.8m-a-year from the wage bill, but will leave the Magpies somewhat short of defensive cover, especially at left-back.

Mbemba deputised at full-back on a number of occasions last season, and Benitez will be keen to secure an experienced alternative to first-choice left-back Paul Dummett.