Stoke City want to step up their interest in Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie, according to the Shields Gazette.
The Potters are looking for an immediate return to the Premier League next season and their new boss, Gary Rowett, wants Matt Ritchie to help his side get back up there.
Ritchie has won promotion to the top flight before twice with AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United and won the title on both occasions.
Stoke have been busy since their relegation to the Championship bolstering their squad ahead of the next campaign. They have already signed Benik Afobe from Wolves and Nigerian international Oghenekaro Etebo.
Ritchie is the next big target for Rowett’s side. The 28-year-old started his career at Portsmouth but struggled to break into the first-team at Fratton Park. He joined Swindon Town in 2011 after loan spells at Notts County and Dagenham and Redbridge.
Ritchie had an impressive two seasons with the Robins and was snapped up by Bournemouth in 2013. He then spent four years with the Cherries and helped them get from League One to the Premier League.
Newcastle then signed him in 2016 and he has since scored 19 goals for them in his two seasons in the North-East. However, with them now pursuing a move for Andros Townsend, they could offload Ritchie this summer.
Matt Ritchie is a top quality player at Championship level and would be a huge signing for Stoke City. There is still a long way to go if the Potters are to land the Scotland international, but it is a story to watch out for.
