Stoke City are planning to step up their efforts to sign Newcastle United star Matt Ritchie and, according to the Northern Echo, the Potters want to have a deal finalised next week.
Gary Rowett’s men have identified Ritchie as the ideal replacement for Xherdan Shaqiri, who has undergone a medical ahead of a proposed £13.75 million move to Liverpool.
Ritchie has been linked with Stoke for some time now and it seems the club could be set to meet Newcastle’s asking price, with an improved offer planned.
It’s believed that the Magpies are willing to sell the Scotland international but only on terms that suit them. Therefore, it seems they are demanding a fee worth £15 million for the wide midfielder.
Newcastle will only sanction the sale of Ritchie, however, if they feel as though a deal to sign Andros Townsend back from Crystal Palace is feasible this summer, as per the report from the Northern Echo.
Townsend has emerged as a target for the Magpies once again and if Ritchie is to leave for Stoke, it seems he would be the priority signing for Rafa Benitez.
