According to reports this afternoon, Matt Ritchie looks set to rejoin former club Bournemouth.
The 34-year-old saw his contract expire at Newcastle United this summer an was released following eight years at the club, leaving him a free agent and on the lookout for a new club this summer.
Ritchie had been heavily linked with a move to boyhood club Portsmouth – who’ve just been promoted back to the Championship – and Sheffield United also showed interest, but Football Insider report that he’s in advanced talks to join the Cherries.
The former Toon winger spent three years at Bournemouth between 2013 and 2016 before Rafa Benitez brought him to St James’ Park for £12m.
A return to Bournemouth allows him to be back on the South Coast and closer to family, but he’s unlikely to get much game time under Cherries boss Andoni Iraola. That said, it could be an ideal switch from a personal point of view, where his experience, leadership and standard-setting in the dressing room could be hugely appreciated.
