Portsmouth FC: John Mousinho makes Matt Ritchie claim amid transfer links | OneFootball

Matt Ritchie is set to be available this summer as a free agent following Newcastle exit

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has discussed the possibility of Matt Ritchie returning to the club.

Ritchie came through the ranks at Pompey at underage level to break into senior football, and it is understood that a return could now be on the cards..

The Scotland international was with the first team squad from 2008 to 2011 before joining Swindon Town on a permanent basis after an initial loan move.

The 34-year-old has gone on to compete at the highest level for Bournemouth and Newcastle United.

However, he is currently set to become a free agent this summer, with his contract with the Magpies expiring at the end of the month.

Mousinho discusses Portsmouth’s Matt Ritchie interest

Mousinho refused to comment one way or the other whether Portsmouth were interested in signing Ritchie this summer.

He claimed that he wouldn’t reveal anything about a pursuit of the player, regardless of if they were looking to sign him or not.

“With Matt, everyone at Portsmouth knows him and he’s had a fantastic career,” said Mousinho, via The Shields Gazette.

“I don’t know what the circumstances around what Matt’s intentions are this summer.

“If it was one we were interested in I wouldn’t say anything - and if it wasn’t I’d still not say anything!’’

Ritchie fell down the pecking order in Eddie Howe’s squad prior to the end of his time at Newcastle.

The winger made just 13 appearances last season in the Premier League, all of which came from the bench (all stats from Fbref).

He joined the Tyneside outfit in the summer of 2016, and helped the club gain promotion back to the top flight in his first year at St.James’ Park.

He was a regular mainstay in the team up until the 2022/23 campaign.

In the last two league seasons, Ritchie managed just 20 appearances in total, none of which have come as a start, meaning it is no surprise he has departed the club at the end of his contract.

Watford’s Matt Ritchie interest

If Portsmouth are going to pursue a move for Ritchie this summer, then they will face competition from Championship rivals Watford.

Tom Cleverley is reportedly keen to bring the forward to the club as a free agent following his appointment as permanent manager.

The opportunity to return to Fratton Park could be an appealing one for Ritchie, but it remains to be seen what his preference will be.

Mousinho will be hoping to make additions to his Pompey side that strengthens their chances of establishing themselves back in the Championship without having to worry about a relegation battle next year.

Ritchie would bring experience to Portsmouth

Ritchie knows Portsmouth already from his time there at the start of his career.

But in the years since then, he has also accrued a lot of top flight experience from his time at Bournemouth and Newcastle.

He knows what it takes to compete at the highest level, which could be a great asset to have in the dressing room at Fratton Park this season.

GIven he will be a free agent signing, this could also be quite an affordable addition to the team as long as his wages aren’t too high, which is appealing.