Everton are reportedly closing in on the capture of Andros Townsend, with the ex-Crystal Palace star completing his medical with the Toffees.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Everton are inching closer towards completing their first signing of the summer transfer window as Andros Townsend is on the verge of joining the club after having undergone his medical.
A product of the Tottenham Hotspur youth academy, Townsend made 93 appearances for the Lilywhites while having loan stints at several clubs throughout his time with the north Londoners before joining Newcastle United permanently in January 2016. Only six months later, the 30-year-old switched to Crystal Palace and had been a regular in the side for the Eagles since.
Townsend racked up 185 appearances for Crystal Palace over the last five years, scoring 16 goals and setting up 28 more for his teammates. However, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, the Eagles decided not to renew his deal, meaning the England international became a free agent at the turn of the month.
And it seems like he did not have to wait too long to find a new club for himself as Everton are now set to land him on a Bosman move. The Toffees are under new management this season, with Rafael Benitez taking over from Carlo Ancelotti, who departed for Real Madrid. And the Spaniard has been actively looking to bolster his squad ahead of an important season for the Merseyside club.
While defence is an area that needs strengthening, the Toffees are also in the market to bolster their options on the wings, with the likes of Alex Iwobi and Bernard underwhelming at Goodison Park while Theo Walcott was released by the club. To that end, Everton are already said to be closing in on the signing of former Leicester City ace Demarai Gray, with Townsend also now on the cusp of making the switch.
Indeed, the former Tottenham and Crystal Palace winger has now undergone his medical with Everton, with a transfer now on the horizon. Townsend is a player that Benitez knows well, having signed him at Newcastle five years ago while the 30-year-old has previously spoken highly of the Spanish tactician’s methods.
While it might not be a glamorous deal, Everton will be getting a proven Premier League winger who will add value with his experience and bolster depth in a key area.
