Transfer rumour about Burnley star could and probably should worry Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie.
The Sun has reported on Monday that Newcastle United are among the Premier League sides interested in Burnley winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
The 27-year-old has been brilliant for the Clarets this season and Newcastle are apparently interested in the £20 million fight” for his signature.
Lord knows that the Magpies need to improve on their wide options, but would signing the Burnley star spell the end of Matt Ritchie’s time on Tyneside?
Ritchie, a £12 million signing in 2016, played a huge role in helping United win promotion back to the Premier League, but he has struggled since returning to the top flight, scoring twice and setting up five goals in 27 games.
It isn’t a great return for an attacking player at a club like Newcastle and, considering Benitez also has Jacob Murphy as a right-wing option, the Spanish manager might deem Ritchie surplus to requirements if he signs Gudmundsson.
The former Bournemouth star made himself something of a hero by scoring the winner against Manchester United last month in a result which boosted the Magpies’ survival hopes.
But maybe Benitez’s side wouldn’t be flirting with relegation if their attacking players were of a higher quality and although Ritchie has his uses, his output suggests that the North-East side need more from their wide options.
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