Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez considered selling first team star Matt Ritchie last summer, according to The Chronicle.
The newspaper claims that the Spaniard was contemplating letting the Scotland international depart after receiving a £15million offer from Championship side Stoke City.
Benitez wanted to bring former Magpie Andros Townsend back to St James’ Park as Ritchie’s replacement, but the £30million price tag slapped on the England international by Crystal Palace quickly put those plans to bed.
The Daily Mirror reported on Sunday that the former Bournemouth man is seeking a Newcastle exit this summer as he eyes one last big payday.
OPINION
It’s no surprise that Benitez considered Stoke’s offer last summer, despite what a consistent performer Ritchie has been for Newcastle since joining the club. £15million for a player like Ritchie, who is approaching the twilight of his career, is a pretty good deal. However, it ultimately didn’t happen. It’s equally unsurprising that the Magpies didn’t have the funds to secure Benitez’s ideal replacement – that’s just the way it’s been for Rafa at St James’ Park. It would have been nice to have Townsend back on Tyneside, but £30million is just too much for a good but not great Premier League player. Whether Benitez will once again consider Ritchie’s sale this summer remains to be seen, but he’llwill want a replacement brought in whatever happens. Will he be able to be able to get who he wants? We’ll have to wait and find out come the end of the season.
