MATT Ritchie has been linked with a return to the south coast, despite reports that Eddie Howe would like to keep him Tyneside.

Cherries have been labelled front runners for the switch by Newcastleworld.com due to the fact that Ritchie is keen to move closer to his family.

Ritchie was born and raised in Hampshire, starting his career off at Portsmouth before finding himself at the Vitality Stadium via Swindon Town, alongside loan spells with Dagenham & Redbridge and Newport County.

Much like current teammate and fellow ex-Cherry Callum Wilson, Ritchie’s family is still based near Bournemouth, with the 16 time Scotland international owning a farm in the New Forest.

It is for that reason Ritchie is seeking a move back down south, and with Cherries currently only having one natural left-back, Jordan Zemura, and one natural left-winger, Jaidon Anthony in the squad, it appears a reunion could suit both parties.

Ritchie, who largely featured on the right-wing when Cherries won the Championship in 2015, played just one season in the Premier League with the Dorset club, moving to Newcastle in 2016.

It was previously reported he was close to making a return in January 2021, with a loan-move cancelled on deadline day by then manager Steve Bruce.

Newcastleworld.com also mentions that Howe, who worked with Ritchie at Cherries, is not keen on his departure, but also does not want to stand in the way of Ritchie reuniting with his family.

Quotes from Howe at the end of last season suggested the move were still up in the air, with the Newcastle boss stating: “I think it's well documented my relationship with Matty, we go so far back. The respect for him I have as a person. He's been incredible for me.

"Matty's own personal situation he will have his own thoughts. Mine is to try and keep him but it's well documented that Matty has been away from his family for a long period of time.

"He loves playing for Newcastle and is very passionate about the club. But I think it is unclear what direction we will take this year but from both sides there is a lot of respect."