Burnley Ready With Toon Raid For Ritchie

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Burnley are preparing to launch a winter raid for Newcastle United midfielder Matt Ritchie, according to a Daily Mail report.

The Clarets have been rocked by the news that Robbie Brady may miss the remainder of the season. An accidental collision with Harry Maguire during the 1 – 0 defeat to Leicester City left the Republic of Ireland in hospital.

Sean Dyche wants a winger to provide more of the service his team’s strikers thrive on. While others whom the club are scrutinising – Everton’s Aaron Lennon, West Brom’s James McClean and Kilmarnock’s Jordan Jones – are highly thought of as wingers, it is 28-year-old Ritchie’s ability from dead ball’s which puts him at the top of the Burnley manager’s list of targets.

Newcastle are still in the throes of a takeover with Mike Ashley selling his shares in the club and Rafa Benitez, the Magpies manager, knows he must sell if he wants an increase in the £20m kitty he has been handed for the January window. The Scotland international is one of his more saleable assets.

Ritchie joined Newcastle in a £12m deal from Bournemouth in 2016 on a five-year deal. A pivotal reason for the Magpies Championship-winning season, he has five assists so far this Premier League season.