Steve Bruce has suggested an exit could still be on the cards for Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie today.
The manager has been speaking to the media this morning and has fielded questions about potential incomings and outgoings on transfer deaadline day.
On the incomings front, there is plenty of talk at the moment about Hamza Choudhury of Leicester City (Northern Echo).
There are also some rumours of Ainsley Maitland-Niles coming in from Arsenal (Daily Mail), with the Gunners unwilling to let the 23-year-old join Leicester on loan.
In terms of outgoings, Ritchie’s future is up in the air, with The Sun having recently reported interest from his former club Bournemouth.
Bruce has spoken about the possibility of the 31-year-old leaving today.
He said (aired on Sky Sports News 11.04am, February 1, 2021): “I think that’s up in the air. Matt’s been a very very good servant to the club. He’s very well thought of.
“We’ll see later on in the day with that one. Matt’s found himself a bit frustrated with not playing and not being a regular in the team and I understand that totally.
“But he has to understand that if it doesn’t happen, he gets his head down and works his way to the end of the season.”
Ritchie would be a loss to Newcastle
He may not be a world-beater, but Ritchie is certainly a decent player to have in the squad.
The £45,000-a-week star (Spotrac) is versatile, good at set-pieces and an experienced head.
These things make him handy to have, especially if there is to be a relegation battle at the end of the season.
The Magpies would certainly be taking a risk if they allowed him to depart.
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