Liam Kennedy has been speaking on the latest edition of #NUFC Matters with Steve Wraith and Keith Patterson about all things relating to Newcastle United.
One of the topics that came up was transfers both in and out in the remaining few days of the window, and one player who the Shields Gazette reporter thinks could leave the Toon is Matt Ritchie.
The 31-year-old has been linked with a return to Bournemouth and Kennedy can see that deal happening.
He said: “Matt Ritchie is the obvious one [to leave]. Matt Ritchie is wanted by Bournemouth; he was wanted by Bournemouth previously, the wages were the problem.
“I don’t foresee that been a problem this time around. It sounds like they might be able to come to an agreement before the end of the window.
“I am not saying that’s going to happen [right] now, but I would expect we might see Matt Ritchie leave the football club between now and next Monday.”
Do you think Ritchie will leave?
Yes, he will go
No, we will keep him
TIF Thoughts on Ritchie…
Ritchie, who is valued at £8.55m by Transfermarkt, only just signed a new contract with Newcastle in March 2020; however, this season he has only made six Premier League starts.
You can see why he might want a return to the Cherries and why Bournemouth might want him back if you look at his record while he played for them.
Ritchie scored 31 goals and provided 29 assists for the Cherries in 142 appearances while he was with them.
He also has a very good Championship record, having scored 36 goals and provided 28 assists in his 123 Championship appearances.
Certainly, Kennedy thinks that Ritchie could leave Newcastle before the end of the transfer window and so we will be watching on with interest to see if that happens.