Andros Townsend wowed as Newcastle could ‘nick a player’ from rivals in a ‘statement’ transfer

The last time the Magpies were in this situation, they secured Champions League football and the club dreams of that again.

Andros Townsend doesn’t think Newcastle have question marks over their head amid a mixed start to the new season and an uninspiring summer transfer window so far.

Newcastle were told that they were ‘lucky’ to draw at Bournemouth on Sunday after narrowly beating newly-promoted Southampton with ten men on the opening day of the new season.

Townsend doesn’t see any issues for the club and he feels ‘they are going to be going for Europe, for sure’, regardless of the doubts.

But a lot of it could depend on what the club do from now until the summer transfer window slams shut on Friday.

The biggest area of concern for Howe and Newcastle right now is the centre-back department, with Sven Botman out for the long term and Fabian Schar getting sent off against Southampton.

Dan Burn and Emil Krafth were the ones to start at the heart of the defence at Bournemouth on Sunday, which is a clear sign that investment is needed.

Townsend was adamant that if Newcastle secure Marc Guehi’s transfer, then it would be a ‘statement’ deal for the club, as he told The Monday Night Club.