The video will start in 8 Cancel

Get the latest NUFC transfer and takeover news straight to your inbox for FREE by signing up to our newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Newcastle United are hopeful of signing AFC Bournemouth star Matt Ritchie.

The Scotland international is thought to be open to the switch to Tyneside despite the prospect of dropping back into the Sky Bet Championship.

However, Rafa Benitez has already used his powers of persuasion to convince Matz Sels to turn down moves to Premier League teams and join his promotion bid next season.

Ritchie has attracted interest from West Ham United already this summer and is rated at £10million by the Cherries.

Benitez sees Ritchie as a player that can bring Championship experience and know-how to the table at Newcastle after he won promotion with Bournemouth in 2015.

The Chronicle reported on Sunday that Ritchie had been punted the way of Newcastle with Andros Townsend’s future looking uncertain.

Newcastle are also in the hunt for Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle with transfer activity at United now hotting up with the window open for business officially on Friday.

United also look set to add a defender to the ranks and are hopeful of bringing in up to five or six new players this summer.

Sels was confirmed this morning with the keeper stating it was an “easy decision” to join the Magpies.