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Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson says the Eagles have “no interest” in selling Andros Townsend , who has been linked with Newcastle United again this summer.

In a strong intervention in a summer of speculation surrounding Townsend, the Palace manager said Townsend was at the same level as Wilfried Zaha in a player he wanted to keep at Selhurst Park.

(Image: Philip Coburn/Daily Mirror)

United boss Rafa Benitez is a big fan of Townsend and there IS interest in the winger if Newcastle trade in Matt Ritchie, who is a big target for Stoke.

And while there are clearly machinations going on behind-the-scenes, Hodgson is adamant that they will not sell the England winger.

He told Football.London: “There can be as much speculation as you like, and (Andros) Townsend is in a similar situation - he has got three years on his contract, and we have no interest at all in selling Andros Townsend.

“I am not surprised that other clubs would be interested, and there are players at other clubs who aren’t for sale that I wouldn’t mind, but we are not selling players.

“We are not a selling club at the moment, far from it. We are working very hard to keep the players we have got, and players of big importance, and Zaha and Townsend are right up there as players we want to keep.

“And speculation can continue, the fun can continue if people want to read it, but I have no interest in it.”

United have signed Martin Dubravka, Ki and Kenedy – who has signed on a loan deal with no permanent option at the end of it – but need further attacking reinforcements. They play their first pre-season friendly on Tuesday against St Patrick’s Athletic in Dublin.