Newcastle close in on shock deal for Bournemouth star

Newcastle are on the verge of completing a shock deal to sign Bournemouth star Matt Ritchie, according to The Daily Record.

Ritchie, 26, had been linked with a move to West Ham throughout last season but is open to sacrificing Premier League football and step down to the Championship to play for Newcastle.

The Scotland international has been key to Bournemouth’s meteoric rise in recent years and Eddie Howe’s side would certainly be reluctant to let a player of his creativity leave this summer.

Ritchie was in blistering form in Bournemouth’s final year in the Championship (2014/15), as he finished with at least four more assists than any other player in England’s second tier (17).

For more stats on Matt Ritchie, click here to visit his WhoScored player page