Portsmouth supporters set for disappointment over ambitious Newcastle United reunion
Due to his ties to the Portsmouth area, many fans believed that Matt Ritchie, a midfielder for Newcastle United and a former player for AFC Bournemouth, may make a summer move. Ritchie is scheduled to become a free agent this summer.
It’s not unusual for athletes to return to their home teams or the venues where their careers began. Sean Raggett of Pompey, who is set to be released by the team at the conclusion of his current contract, was rumoured to be returning to Gillingham, his hometown, last summer.
During the previous summer window, David McGoldrick also relocated from Derby County to Notts County, which is where his professional football career started.
For Portsmouth supporters, the most recent and noteworthy example of this is their captain,
Marlon Pack, who was raised in the city on the south coast, joined the team in 2022, and helped them gain promotion back to the Championship in 2024. Pack was raised in Portsmouth and came through the academy system.
The Pompey supporters held out hope that Ritchie, another one of their own, would make his way to them this summer, but it appears that this is not going to happen.
Matt Ritchie is not on Portsmouth’s transfer list
Despite the wishes of certain supporters to see the 34-year-old go back to his home country, The News has revealed that Pompey does not have intentions to sell the Newcastle midfield player.
Ritchie has stated that before his career ends, he would like to perform at Fratton Park once more. In 2008, he began playing football professionally with Pompey.
The Portsmouth site also stated that while the team gets ready for life in the second level, they are exploring in other directions for a player because Ritchie doesn’t meet the club’s ideal player profile.
News about Portsmouth’s summer transfer window
It’s not simple to go from the third tier to the Championship, as this season has shown in several cases. Relegation was a real possibility for Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday. Ipswich Town can be ignored by all; they are a glaring exception.
Pompey has shifted their focus to south London and is aiming for specific objectives at Crystal Palace. If the highly-regarded winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi becomes available, they are reportedly looking to sign him on loan.
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