Aston Villa are set to outbid Newcastle United for Bournemouth’s £20 million-rated striker Callum Wilson but, according to the Northern Echo, the Magpies have a Matt Ritchie-shaped ace up their sleeve.
The move speaks volumes about manager Steve Bruce’s desire for a new number nine if he is willing to sacrifice one of his most reliable, adaptable performers to get the deal done.
Ritchie may not be the most naturally gifted midfielder to wear the iconic black-and-white stripes but the snarling Scotland international is a cult hero on Tyneside for good reason, shedding blood, sweat and tears for the cause and providing his fair share of stunning goals too.
However, according to reports in the north east Newcastle are willing to hand over Ritchie in a player-plus-cash deal that would see England international Wilson become the proven goalscorer Bruce is crying out for.
Wilson scored only seven times as Bournemouth were relegated from the Premier League last season but found the net 14 times during a career-best 2018/19 campaign.
Replicating that figure at Newcastle could transform the Magpies from mid-table also-rans into contenders for a top-half finish – or, whisper it, a Europa League push.
The Echo claims Aston Villa will offer a larger fee up front for the £20 million-rated Wilson – and that should come as no surprise. Villa’s billionaire owners have ambitions to bring back the glory days.
Ritchie, meanwhile, is a Bournemouth fans’ favourite, a man who inspired the Cherries to promotion from League One and the Championship.
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