Andros Townsend joins Newcastle: 'I may be a bargain at £12m'

The winger 'holds no grudges' with Spurs' manager Maurico Pochettino

Andros Townsend says he is in the best shape of his life after his move to Newcastle (Getty)

Andros Townsend insisted he has the potential to be a bargain despite becoming the most expensive player Newcastle have signed from an English club since Alan Shearer 20 years ago.

Newcastle paid £12 million to Tottenham for the England winger on Wednesday, as their spending spree to guarantee Premier League football next season continued. The fee could rise further.

The club has spent £30 million in the current transfer window and still intend to sign a centre forward before it closes at the start of next week.

Townsend, now 24, said: "Of course £12 million is a lot of money. I know that, but if I can reach my potential and play to the ability I know I have, then I am sure as quicikly as people are saying it is a lot of money, they will be saying it is a bargain.

“Football, I know has its ups and downs. It turns so quick. If I put in a few good performances, it will look like money well spent and that is what I am solely looking to do, play as well as I can.

"I have faith in my own ability. I am the same player and the same person that did break on to the scene a few years ago and was tipped as a big England prospect. I was an integral part for club and country.

“I have not played that run of games, nine or ten games since 2013. I have had a chance to do that. I know it is a different level with the Under 21s but I have had seven games in six weeks so I am fully fit for the first time in a long while. I am in the best shape of my life and injury free and hoping Newcastle will benefit from that.

"I am not looking to get back to where I was. I am looking to become an even better player. I do not look back, I always look forward and feel I am more mature than I was back then."

Townsend, who was training and playing at Under-21 level with Spurs before the move to Tyneside, refused to criticise Mauricio Pochettino.

"I think the manager has a 25 man squad and can only play 11 and seven for the bench and he has obviously had no problem with me on a personal level,” he added. “He made his decision professionally which obviously I do not agree with, but Tottenham are flying high in the Premier League, I can't really argue with him. I hold no grudges with the manager.

“England is not an extra motivation. My motivation is being the best player I can possibly be so that Newcastle can finish as high up the table as possible. If I am the best player I can be, then the England stuff will come off the back of that, but if I go onto the pitch thinking, 'Oh, I really want to get in the England squad', then that is disrespectful to Newcastle and to myself.”