Newcastle United are chasing Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie.

The Sun says Rafa Benitez is ready to make a stunning £10million bid for Bournemouth's flying Scotsman Ritchie.

But the Newcastle chief has lined up the swoop because he fears losing Andros Townsend to Crystal Palace for around £12m in one of the summer's big transfer chains.

Benitez wants to beat Premier League opposition — headed by West Ham — to snatch highly-rated Ritchie, 26, and tee up a move before sanctioning the Townsend sale.

Townsend, 24, only joined Newcastle from Tottenham in January and the Geordies do not want to lose him but realise a return to London and the Prem will be tempting for the winger.