Stoke City remain without a deal for Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie as the Magpies are still without a suitable replacement, reports suggest.
Lee Ryder, the Newcastle Chronicle’s Chief Newcastle United reporter, tweeted early to say that “Stoke still haven’t agreed a price for Matt Ritchie after latest talks. The situation remains the same for Benitez. Ritchie exit only sanctioned if a quality replacement comes in.”
Stoke still haven’t agreed a price for Matt Ritchie after latest talks. Situation remains the same for Benitez. Ritchie exit only sanctioned if a quality replacement comes in. #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) July 17, 2018
The Potters have been interested in the former Bournemouth winger for a while now. However, Gary Rowett’s initial offer of £15m was rejected, despite a wage packet of around £75,000 being offered to Ritchie.
Although, the main hurdle stopping the deal going through seems to be Magpies’ boss Rafa Benitez’s desire to obtain a suitable replacement prior to letting the 28-year-old depart St James’ Park.
Ritchie was one of Newcastle United’s stand-out players in the Premier League last term, with the Scottish International scoring a number of crucial goals in a terrific season which saw the Geordies finish tenth upon their return to England’s top flight.
Benitez’s Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Chelsea’s Kenedy after the Brazillian spent last season on-loan with the Magpies. But any deal to take the 22-year-old away from Stamford Bridge is likely to be very costly, suggesting that the Premier League side are very reluctant to sell Ritchie unless they can generate a significant amount of money to make a move for Chelsea’s winger financially viable.
As a result of receiving parachute payments following their relegation from the Premier League, money appears to be no object for Stoke City and the addition of Ritchie would certainly make their squad stand-out contenders to be involved in a promotion challenge this season.
