"Astute piece of business" - Sheffield United backed to sign 34-y/o ex-Newcastle United man | OneFootball

FLW's Sheffield United fan pundit wants the Blades to capitalise on their interest in Matt Ritchie following his Newcastle exit

Sheffield United have reportedly made an offer for ex-Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Blades are undergoing a period of significant transition, with an ongoing takeover process in the works following their dismal relegation from the Premier League alongside Burnley and Luton Town last time out.

Indeed, the prospective change of ownership at Bramall Lane has stiffened their transfer activity in what simply must be a positive summer window if they are to enter themselves in promotion discussions next term, but their only arrival to date has been free agent Jamie Shackleton after his release from Leeds United.

With the financial purse-strings evidently tight as things stand, United are looking to gain shrewd advantages in the free agent market as Chris Wilder looks to undertake the required squad surgery.

According to the Daily Mail's North-East Correspondent Craig Hope, they've fielded an offer for Ritchie, who is a free agent following his exit from Newcastle and also has interest from former club and Championship newcomers Portsmouth.

Sheffield United fan verdict given following Matt Ritchie transfer update

The plus point with the 34-year-old veteran is his pedigree and experience, having chalked up more than 150 appearances in the Premier League alone for both Bournemouth and Newcastle United. In contrast the caveat is his age, although Football League World's Blades pundit Owain Wyse believes that can be turned into a positive.

"Ritchie certainly was a very good player," Owain explained to Football League World.

"He's versatile with an absolute wand of a left foot, his crossing and passing ability made him an excellent player. He'd provide us with depth at left and right-wing back and if we did look to play with wingers, he'd also cover that position.

"He's an experienced head with a wealth of knowledge having played for so long at Premier League and Championship level and let's not forget, he featured 13 times in a very good Newcastle side in the Premier League last season, there's clearly still a player there.

"But especially in this rebuilding phase where I can see us bringing in a lot of young players, you do need some older heads in the squad.

Sheffield United could do worse than sign Matt Ritchie on a free transfer

It wouldn't necessarily be a transfer to set the pulses racing across the red side of Sheffield, but it does have its perks.

As Owain rightly points out, Ritchie still played a fair handful of matches for a team competing in the UEFA Champions League only last season and also possesses know-how of what it takes to get out of this league that can be translated to Wilder's squad, having achieved promotion with both Bournemouth and Newcastle.

He's played games for the Magpies as a wing back on occasion too, meaning that he'd be able to acclimatise to Wilder's system pretty quickly.

Even still, it's not as if he'd be playing 46 matches a season at his age, so the potential Ritchie signing should be viewed as one capable of being as influential off the pitch - if not more - than on it.

There are more benefits to acquiring Ritchie than what may meet the eye at face value.

However, the Blades should also avoid handing him anything more than a one-year deal. It's likely his wage demands won't exactly be cheap for Championship level and he's set to celebrate his 35th birthday in September, so a multi-year contract appears rather untenable.

The only issue is though that with Sam McCallum poised to sign from Norwich City and Harrison Burrows still a transfer target, where would Ritchie fit in Chris Wilder's system? That is one potential problem, but clearly his top flight experience is seen as a potential need within the current Blades squad.