Newcastle United and relegated Stoke City remain massively apart on their valuations of the in-demand Matt Ritchie, a Sky Sports journalist has revealed.
Keith Downie, a Sky Sports News reporter, revealed the news on his personal Twitter account that Stoke are offering £11.5million for Ritchie – over £3.5million short of the Magpies’ valuation, as Rafael Benitez is looking for a fee worth over £15million.
Newcastle & Stoke remain apart on their valuation of Matt Ritchie. Stoke offering £11.5m, NUFC want £15m+.
We’re told Crystal Palace want £17m for Andros Townsend, who would replace Ritchie on Tyneside.— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) July 6, 2018
The tweet gives us an indication as to why the Magpies are holding out for a sum closer to £15million, as Crystal Palace want £17million for Andros Townsend, who is seen as a potential replacement for Ritchie, who accounted for three goals and six assists last season in the Premier League, should he leave St James Park this summer.
OPINION
It is tough for both Newcastle and Stoke in this situation. The Magpies have to sell to buy, and would ideally use the funds raised from Ritchie’s departure to plot a move to resign Townsend from Palace. However, Ritchie fetching £15million is a bit of a stretch, but then again nothing is a surprise in this market. Although the Scottish international featured heavily for Benitez last season, he had large parts of ineffectiveness, and only had a hand in any goal contribution in seven games last season out of the Magpies 38. Ritchie also isn’t getting any younger, currently aged 28-year-old, which could be cause for concern ahead of the deal. It is unlikely that this move will stall, as Newcastle will be better off served retaining some funding to further add to their squad, but the price has to be right for both parties. The winger would be a major coup for Stoke in the Championship, as he has vast experience at that level, scoring 36 goals from his 123 appearances, also creating a further 28 with assists. This experience is something that Gary Rowett cannot be without at the Bet 365 stadium, and Benitez must look to take advantage of this, and make a price that works for him, and Newcastle.