Andros Townsend: Why Newcastle United can become the BIGGEST club in the Premier League

That’s according to former Magpies winger and current Crystal Palace star Andros Townsend, who admitted he is sad to see the Toon Army in its current predicament.

United fans thought they had hit the jackpot last year following the proposed £300million takeover, involving the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, PCP Partners and the Reuben brothers.

However, the deal collapsed when forwarded to the Premier League for approval, though owner Mike Ashley is still fighting for the bid to be revived.

As legal proceedings continue in the background, Newcastle, on the pitch, are in a battle to retain their top-flight status.

But Townsend, speaking to the ITV Football Show podcast, believes his former club can offer so much more.

Presenter Mark Pougatch asked: “If I came up with the money that Manchester United, Liverpool or Manchester City own and I put in a structure that was as good as theirs, how big could Newcastle be?"

“The biggest club in the Premier League, they could be,” Townsend responded,

"If not, even more than that because they’ve got the stadium, the pitch is massive – it’s incredible. They’ve got the fanbase, the stadium is in the city centre.

"It’s all set up for them to be a massive club but unfortunately, at the minute, they’re not quite getting it right on the pitch.”

Steve Bruce’s side travel to Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend and could be sitting in the relegation zone come kick-off, if Fulham beat Leeds United on Friday night.

The Magpies are just two points above the bottom three, an advantage that has been reduced from 10 points at the beginning of February.

Townsend added: "It’s even more sad because of how well the club is set up.

"For me, if they can stay in the Premier League this year, I’m sure things will start to turn around for them in the future.

"But first and foremost, they need to try and stay in the Premier League this year."