At £10m, should Leeds sign Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie if they gain promotion?

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Reports over the weekend have suggested that Newcastle United are willing to offload Matt Ritchie for a fee of £10million in the summer – and he would be perfect for a Leeds United side about to embark on the Premier League.

The Daily Mirror claim the 29-year-old is being ‘shoved’ through the exit door by manager Rafa Benitez. They want to recoup £10million for his signature, a similar amount they paid Bournemouth in the summer of 2016.

Ritchie has been a regular in the Newcastle side since. Scoring 16 goals and creating 10 more in 2016-17 helped Newcastle gain promotion, and he has remained one of the first names on the team sheet since.

Indeed, the English-born Scotland international has played 118 times for Newcastle in just three seasons. He has appeared on both wings, in the number 10 role, central midfield and most recently at left-back.

Letting him go is a surprise. His know how in a relegation scrap and his ability to create something out of nothing is a rarity in the Premier League – especially at just £10million.

A promoted side would certainly benefit from his experience and Leeds United have got to consider snapping the former Swindon Town man up for such a figure.

Leeds are in need of a new winger or two this summer. Marcelo Bielsa’s side already lacks the depth required to survive in the Premier League. Jack Harrison is only on loan from Manchester City.

Bielsa almost landed Daniel James from Swansea in January but a move did not materialise. That need for a winger remains, and Ritchie could be perfect.

A small figure of £10million, proven in the Premier League, boasts versatility which Bielsa likes and fills a gap in the Leeds squad. Surely Leeds have to land Ritchie, if they gain promotion.