Newcastle: Major update on Matt Ritchie and Emil Krafth's Magpies future

Newcastle duo Matt Ritchie and Emil Krafth are set to stay at the club beyond this summer, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Magpies are expected to offload a number of players at the end of the season, but Jones doesn’t believe Ritchie or Krafth will be going anywhere.

Ritchie is out of contract at St James’ Park next year, and, following the arrival of Matt Targett in January, it is hard to see him getting much game time between now and the end of the season.

This has led to reports suggesting that he could seek a move away from Newcastle ahead of next season.

Meanwhile, The Times recently claimed that as many as seven players could be shown the exit door when the current campaign concludes.

Krafth was on that list of potential departures, and his contract also expires in 2023.

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Despite rumours circulating that Ritchie and Krafth could be on their way soon, Jones thinks the club will hang on to them for the moment, but has hinted that they are unlikely to have significant roles to play moving forward.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Guys like Ritchie and Krafth will stay for the time being. Eventually they’ll find upgrades in those positions, but I don’t think they’re desperate to get rid of those two particularly.”

It may come down to whether the duo are happy to remain as back-up options at the club.

When everyone is fit, it appears clear that Kieran Trippier and Targett are Newcastle’s first-choice full-backs, and it is hard to see that changing any time soon.

Admittedly, Targett is only on loan from Aston Villa right now, but Newcastle should be doing all they can to make that deal permanent given how well he has played since he joined in