Bournemouth manager Jason Tindall has remained coy on speculation linking the Championship club with a move for Newcastle midfielder Matt Ritchie, as per the Bournemouth Daily Echo.
The 31-year-old joined the Magpies from the south coast club in 2016 and he has since played 159 times for the Tyneside outfit. The Scotland international has been linked with a return to the Cherries in recent weeks after finding playing time hard to come by of late.
Tindall told the Bournemouth Daily Echo when asked about the speculation over Ritchie:
Listen, it’s wrong for me to comment on other teams’ players. I wouldn’t do that, I don’t think it’s right.
I think everyone knows what a fantastic player Matt Ritchie is and how well he did for this football club during his time here.
But I don’t think it would be right for me to speculate on someone else’s player.
The versatile 31-year-old has seen his playing time diminish this season, starting just six Premier League games under Steve Bruce, and this could be a factor in a potential exit from St James’ Park.
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Although there has been a definite decline in Ritchie’s game-time this season, the trustworthy Scot has still been called upon by Bruce and the manager would likely be unwilling to let him leave without having a replacement to come straight in.
Still valued at £8.55m by Transfermarkt, Newcastle could demand a reasonable fee for the left-sided midfielder and that money could go towards strengthening attacking positions.
A potential swap deal involving Bournemouth’s Philip Billing has also been mooted, a deal over which some Toon fans may be doubtful given the Dane’s status as a defensive midfielder – a position in which the Magpies are already well-stocked.
