Newcastle United midfielder Matt Ritchie is firmly in the running to depart St James’ Park, according to Football Whispers.
The football site claim that the right-sided enforcer has a good chance of ending his two year spell on Tyneside by potentially exiting St James’ Park for Stoke City this summer.
Football Whispers – which is used by the likes of Sky Sports – gathers transfer rumours from across the globe and calculates the likelihood of them happening out of five, with Ritchie being rated 3.2 out of five to leave United.
The 28-year-old – who is on £45,000 a week (Spotrac) – was a regular in the first team last season under boss Rafa Benitez, making 38 appearances in all competitions.
OPINION
Ritchie has been eyed by the likes of Championship side Stoke City, but it comes as a surprise that he is rated rather highly to depart the Toon. He is an integral member of the squad, and was a regular first team starter under Benitez, so it is puzzling as to why he is likely to leave the club. However, it is not very likely that he will be offloaded any time soon given that the transfer window is reaching its conclusion, as it would mean that he would have to be replaced in the very little time left. United are strapped for cash, but not to the point where they would be willing to sell one of their most important players. He will remain a Magpies’ player for the foreseeable future, but it would not come as a shock if the Potters come crawling back in the January window with an offer.
