Tottenham to Use Misfit Andros Townsend as Bait in Signing Jay Rodriguez from Southampton

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Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a swap deal in signing Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez, according to the Independent.

The deal would see the north London side allow their midfielder Andros Townsend make a switch to the South Coast club and spend £14m in bringing the England international to White Hart Lane.

Rodriguez picked up an injury during the league fixture against Manchester City in April. The 25-year-old ruptured his cruciate ligaments and will be on the sidelines till October. He was in fine form for the Saints before picking up a serious injury.

The forward played under Mauricio Pochettino at Southampton and has excelled under the Argentine manager during the previous campaign. The 42-year-old manager left St Mary's Stadium and signed a five-year deal at Tottenham to become Tim Sherwood's successor.

Pochettino is an admirer of Rodriguez and despite his long-term injury, he is keen on bringing his former player to White Hart Lane in a player-plus-cash deal. The English forward has two years left on his contract at Southampton.

The player has refused to sign a new deal as he is aware of the White Hart Lane club's long-term interest in his signature. Rodriguez is hoping to complete a switch to Tottenham on the final day of the transfer window on Monday.

After Pochettino agreed to join Tottenham, Rodriguez had heaped praise on his former manager earlier in June.

"Mauricio is a great manager and a great guy and was well-respected by the lads," Sky Sports quoted Rodriguez as saying.

"He worked us really hard and we got the good results and finished eighth which we were happy with. Football moves on though so it's just one of those things."

Townsend's future at White Hart Lane has been up in the air throughout the summer transfer window as Tottenham are willing to let their player leave if a right offer is made available. However, they are now looking to include him as a part of a swap deal in their bid to sign Rodriguez before the window shuts on Monday.