Report: West Ham United, Southampton ready to trigger Andros Townsend clause

Andros Townsend celebrates scoring with his allegedly 'stunning' free kick during the Premier League game between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace on April 30, 2016
© Getty Images
Both West Ham United and Southampton are reportedly keen on triggering an £8m clause in Andros Townsend's contract if Newcastle United go down.

Both West Ham United and Southampton reportedly want to sign Andros Townsend from Newcastle United if the Magpies are relegated from the Premier League this month.

England international Townsend only joined Newcastle from Tottenham Hotspur for £12m in January, but there is said to be clause in his contract that allows him to leave for £8m if the North-East outfit go down.

According to The Telegraph, top-half sides West Ham and Southampton have both previously expressed an interest in signing the winger and view this summer as a good opportunity to try again should Newcastle fail to beat the drop.

Townsend has been in good form for Newcastle in recent weeks, scoring four goals since his winter window move and helping the Magpies up out of the bottom three.

Newcastle are a point clear of North-East rivals Sunderland and two above Norwich City below them, but both the Black Cats and Canaries do have games in hand on Rafael Benitez's men.

Rafael 'show me the money' Benitez gestures during the Premier League game between Newcastle United and Sunderland on March 20, 2016
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester372311367353280
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs371913568303870
3Arsenal371911761362568
4Manchester CityMan City371981070403065
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd36189944311363
6Southampton371791155401560
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham361514761471459
8Liverpool3616101061481358
9Chelsea361212125751648
10Stoke CityStoke37139153954-1548
11Swansea CitySwansea371210154151-1046
12Everton361014125652444
13Watford36128163644-844
14Crystal Palace37119173847-942
15West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom371012153347-1442
16Bournemouth37119174464-2042
17Sunderland36811174360-1735
18Newcastle UnitedNewcastle37810193964-2534
19Norwich CityNorwich3687213562-2731
RAston Villa3738262772-4517