Sources: Matt Ritchie is quitting Newcastle United as overhaul begins
Matt Ritchie is set to quit Newcastle United this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The 33-year-old’s current deal is set to expire at the end of the current season and he is ready to leave St James’ Park in pursuit of regular football.
Ritchie has fallen significantly down Eddie Howe’s pecking order at St James’ Park and he is now ready to call an end to his time in Tyneside.
Newcastle are preparing to flex their financial muscle under the new Saudi owners and overhaul their squad in the summer, but they are aware that they will need to balance their squad and keep on top of their wage bill.
Ritchie currently earns £45,000-per-week at Newcastle after he signed an extension to his deal in 2020.
The bumper deal made Ritchie one of the highest earners at the club, but his imminent exit will free up wages for new arrivals in the summer.
Newcastle have experienced a remarkable 2022/23 campaign under Howe, with the club sat third in the Premier League with just five games remaining.
But Ritchie has hardly been given the chance to contribute to Newcastle’s success this season, with the veteran winger handed just 10 appearances, including only two starts, across all competitions in 2022/23.
He is yet to start a league match this season, and his seven league appearances have only been for a total of 32 minutes.
Now in the twilight years of his career, Ritchie is ready to end his seven-year stay at Newcastle and make a move this summer.
Football Insider sources revealed in February that Championship, League One and Scottish clubs have all shown an interest in signing Ritchie.
In other news, Borussia Dortmund in talks to sign Newcastle £20m target Ivan Fresneda