Matt Ritchie will not be kicking the St James’ Park corner flags anymore.
That is because the 34-year-old is going to be leaving Newcastle United when his contract expires this summer, with the club announcing their retained list on Wednesday.
Five senior players will be leaving the club, with Ritchie joined by Paul Dummett, Loris Karius, Jeff Hendrick and Kell Watts.
There have been huge tributes to Ritchie and Dummett, who probably would have stayed at Newcastle had Eddie Howe’s side qualified for Europe. The Toon boss was keen to keep them, but it was no longer feasible after Newcastle’s UEFA Conference League dream came to an end.
Instead, they will be looking for new clubs, and it remains unclear where they are going to head next.
What is next for Matt Ritchie after Newcastle United release
There have been suggestions that Ritchie could return to Portsmouth, who have won promotion to the Championship from League One.
Ritchie started his career with Pompey, coming through their academy and making 10 senior appearances.
The midfielder has previously spoke about his desire to return to the club where it all started, admitting that he had a ‘burning ambition’ to play for Portsmouth again back in 2020.
“I do feel I’ve got unfinished business there, for sure,” he said four years ago.
“I feel I’ve got a good five to seven years in the locker still and I’ve just signed a new contract with Newcastle, where I’m really enjoying my time.
“But in my head my next challenge is definitely to play for Portsmouth again – and have an impact.
“I’ve really got a burning ambition to have some sort of success at Portsmouth. Whether that’s in three, four or five years, who knows?”
Portsmouth return not on the cards for Matt Ritchie
However, it does not look as though he will get his wish.
That is according to The News, which is the local paper in Portsmouth. They have reported that a return to Fratton Park for Ritchie is unlikely due to the fact he does not fit the club’s current recruitment model.
That is a blow for Ritchie, despite being an understandable stance. While he is an experienced player and someone who has excelled in the second tier, he is 34-years-old and will likely command a decent wage. He was on £45,000-a-week at Newcastle, which is a lot of money for a Championship club.
Of course, no one is saying Ritchie would command that figure from any potential employer, but it is a factor that will put some suitors off. For many clubs, they want young players with potential who they can sell on for profit, whereas a player like Ritchie would not have any resale value.
It will be interesting to see where he ends up this summer, and Toon fans will be keeping a close eye on his next move. There is no doubt that he still has a lot to offer, having been described as an ‘inspiration‘ by Howe earlier this year.
He is an incredible professional who drives up standards and sets the tone in training, which could make him a valuable asset to a young squad that needs some experience to lean on. Ritchie can be that experience, and here’s hoping he finds a new club soon.
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