Newcastle United legends set to play in Sunderland colours after emotional summer exits
Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie are reported targets for Championship outfit Sheffield United
Sheffield United are targeting former Newcastle United duo Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie to reignite their Premier League dream.
The Blades were humbled in the top flight alongside the other two newly-promoted clubs last season. Finishing on 16 points - with just three wins - sent Chris Wilder’s men packing to the Championship.
They are looking to rediscover the touch that led to a convincing promotion under Paul Heckingbottom a year earlier. The Sheffield Star claims ex-Toon duo Dummett and Ritchie are on their radar to add versatility to the squad.
Both players are out of contract after leaving Newcastle at the end of the campaign. The pair were part of Rafa Benitez’s side that earned Premier League promotion in 2016-17 - making a combined 87 appearances.
Overall, Dummett and Ritchie racked up 428 games between them despite playing a bit-part role in their latter years. They remain keen to carry on playing and have attracted interest lower down the pyramid.
Wilder prefers a five-man defence with wing-backs - a system suited to the former Newcastle stars. The great irony is how, following lengthy careers on Tyneside, Dummett and Ritchie could be set to don Sunderland colours next season.
Sheffield United are also famous for their red-and-white stripes and will be competing with the Black Cats in 2024-25. Sunderland’s promotion push last year hit a wall once Tony Mowbray was sacked in December - with the Black Cats also losing the Tyne-Wear derby - but they are targeting a fresh tilt under new leadership this season.