Middlesbrough are plotting a move to sign Newcastle United wide man Matt Ritchie this summer. According to recent reports, the Magpies talent is on the North Yorkshire club’s radar as they prepare to seal a move for him during this summer transfer period. However, they will reportedly face stiff competition from Stoke City in pursuit of the Scottish international’s signature.
Some sources are now claiming that the Magpies are looking for a fee in the region of £15m if they are to part ways with their prized asset. It has also been suggested that the Boro have already held talks with the Tyneside outfit over the potential transfer of Ritchie. The Championship side are eager to strengthen their squad to boost their chances of earning a promotion spot next season and Ritchie fits the bill perfectly.
The Magpies bought the Scottish playmaker from Bournemouth for £12m in the summer of 2016. It is understood that Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is prepared to sell him in order to generate funds to strengthen other areas of his squad. Only time will tell whether Ritchie is willing to take a step down to play in the English Championship next term.
Middlesbrough failed to secure a promotion spot last season and will now look to rebuild cleverly in this off-season to try and build a strong enough team capable of challenging on all fronts next term. The Boro manager Tony Pulis needs to make some shrewd additions to his squad in this ongoing transfer window if his side are to mount a realistic title charge in the upcoming season.
The addition of Ritchie will undoubtedly bolster Pulis’ attacking options at the Riverside Stadium. The Boro already have some talented wingers in their ranks such as Adama Traore and Stewart Downing who are both competing for a place in Pulis’ first-team. The potential acquisition of Ritchie will definitely improve their team significantly and add more competition for places within the Middlesbrough squad.
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At 28, the Magpies star still has his prime years ahead of him which the North Yorkshire outfit should look to benefit from, in the next few years. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Ritchie and whether he ends up sealing a switch to the Premier League before the start of the new campaign.
