Eddie Howe is expected to sign a number of players this summer, but he also has a job on his hands to offload the deadwood. Matt Ritchie is one of them, having made just one Premier League appearance in 2022 after being replaced by Matt Targett.
Luke Edwards of the Telegraph says Newcastle will listen to offers for Ritchie over the summer, but this is the last transfer window they can get maximum value from his sale, so the Magpies need suitors thick and fast. The 32-year-old is out of contract in 2023 and will leave on a free transfer next year if not earlier.
It makes business sense for Newcastle to cash in on Ritchie now, as they could save £2.3m-a-year/£45k-per-week in wages. The Scottish international has a market value of £1.8m too, so the Magpies could make £4.1m through his sale. Ritchie is a Premier League defender and was regularly playing up until December 2021, so he should have plenty of interest.
But with Targett likely to be signed permanently, Paul Dummett having his deal extended and Jamal Lewis being contracted until 2025, there’s no need to keep Ritchie.
In other news, Man Utd and Lingard’s greed laid bare as Newcastle end talks
