Newcastle United have rejected a deadline day offer from Bournemouth for Matt Ritchie and the Magpies will not allow the versatile 31-year-old to leave before the window shuts.
It has been reported that Ritchie is keen to secure a deadline day move away from St James’ Park, having been pushing hard to force through a return to Bournemouth. The Cherries have been interested in mounting a late move for him to bolster their promotion hopes.
Bournemouth’s interest has now been firmed up by the submission of an offer for the 31-year-old to Newcastle. However, that has been rejected by the Magpies and they have informed the Championship promotion-chasers that the Scotland international will not be allowed to leave the club today, as tweeted by Sky Sports reporter Pete Graves.
We're being told now that Matt Ritchie will be staying at Newcastle. Bournemouth approach rejected. Via @markmcadamtv #DeadlineDay @SkySportsNews #nufc #afcb
— Pete Graves (@PeteGravesTV) February 1, 2021
Newcastle have been looking at options to free up potential space in their squad, but it seems as though they won’t allow Ritchie to be one of the players making way for that purpose.
Read Newcastle verdict
Steve Bruce has insisted that, if this move does not happen, then Ritchie needs to concentrate on earning a place in the Newcastle starting line-up. It now seems that the message will need to be taken on board and acted upon by the 31-year-old.
Ritchie remains a valuable member of the squad and can cover both the wide positions and slot in at full-back when needed. Therefore, it would have been a risk allowing him to leave the club with so little possibility of a replacement coming in at this stage.
