The Newcastle United star would be a welcome addition to the Southampton squad this summer.
According to a report from the Chronicle, Stoke are still yet to agree a fee with Newcastle for the services of Matt Ritchie, and Southampton should swoop in and attempt to hijack the Potters’ interest in the Scot.
Mark Hughes will be desperate to bolster his ranks at St Mary’s this summer, and with Dusan Tadic already gone, and Sofiane Boufal set to be axed, according to the Sun, the addition of an established winger will be of paramount importance to the Saints’ hopes of enjoying a successful campaign this season.
With this in mind, Ritchie would be ideal for Southampton, and he could be available for around £15 million, according to a report from the Chronicle.
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The 28-year-old joined Newcastle from Bournemouth in the summer of 2016, for a fee believed to be worth in the region of £12 million, and he has impressed at St James’ Park, chalking up 19 goals and 16 assists in 86 appearances for the Toon.
Ritchie is heavily experienced, and his quality when in possession of the football, combined with a lethal delivery, would surely help Southampton improve upon the potency of their play in the final third.
The Scotland international would obviously be comfortable with his surroundings on the south coast, having spent three-and-a-half years with Bournemouth, so there wouldn’t be any need for a so-called ‘settling in period’.
In today’s day and age, £15 million for someone with Ritchie’s ability would represent fantastic value, and if Hughes manages to bring him to St Mary’s, it could turn out to be a real coup for Southampton.
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