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Newcastle United are yet to agree a fee with Stoke City for Matt Ritchie - despite strong interest for the winger from the Potters.

An offer of £15million has been deemed as unacceptable by the Magpies and Rafa Benitez does not want to sell the Scotland international unless he is handed a quality replacement.

Stoke are trying to turn Ritchie’s head with a wage packet of £75,000 a week plus bonuses but 28-year-old remains open to staying at Newcastle.

It is believed that if United do decide to end his Toon career after two years then Ritchie’s preference would be a move back to the south coast rather than the Potteries.

Both Middlesbrough and AFC Bournemouth have also been linked with Gosport-born Ritchie this summer.

But United, who have been quoted some eye watering fees for the likes of Kenedy and Andros Townsend in recent days, are reluctant to sell reliable wide man Ritchie on the cheap.

However, like the impending exit of Mikel Merino, Benitez will only sanction Ritchie’s exit once a replacement is sought.

That was the case when the club signed Ki Sung-yueng last week on a free transfer with Merino due to join Real Sociedad in due course.