Portsmouth are now considering a move for departing Newcastle United veteran Matt Ritchie, a report from The News has claimed.
Portsmouth are heading for the Championship after winning the League One title in the 2023/24 season.
It was a remarkable campaign at Fratton Park as they brought their lengthy third-tier stay to an end after several near misses in previous pushes for promotion.
Plenty of players have been linked with moves to the south coast, but it was previously reported former Pompey youngster Matt Ritchie is not a target as he prepares to leave Newcastle United after eight years.
Now though, The News states that the 34-year-old is now ‘under consideration’ as a potential addition for Portsmouth. There would be hurdles to overcome having been on Premier League wages, but a move would mark a fairytale return to where it all started for Ritchie.
Since leaving the club as a youngster in 2011, he’s become a firm favourite with Swindon Town, Bournemouth and Newcastle.
Mousinho remains coy
The News quizzed Mousinho over the possibility of a move for Ritchie, who has also been linked with Watford as he prepares to become a free agent at the end of this month.
The Portsmouth manager was unsurprisingly coy over the chances of getting the departing Newcastle United man onboard, refusing to be drawn on a potential move. He said:
With Matt, everyone at Portsmouth knows him and he’s had a fantastic career.
“I don’t know what the circumstances around what Matt’s intentions are this summer. If it was one we were interested in I wouldn’t say anything – and if it wasn’t I’d still not say anything!”
The Pompey boss is rarely open about potential incomings at Fratton Park, so his words on Ritchie won’t come as a surprise. If asked about further additions this summer, expect a similar response from Mousinho then too.
A valuable signing
Ritchie might not be the dangerous winger he was during his last stay in the Championship but he could be someone of great value for a club like Portsmouth as they step up from League One.
The 34-year-old is vastly experienced at both Premier League and Championship level. He’s been a real leader with Newcastle United for some time and that would make him a real influence in Mousinho’s Pompey dressing room.
Ritchie also offers versatility as he’s capable of playing anywhere on the left-hand side and over on the right, where he found much of his joy earlier in his career.
Time will tell just what waits the Scot but with Portsmouth considering him and Watford previously said keen, Ritchie looks to have options in the Championship ahead of next season.
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