Stoke City are chasing after two Newcastle United players as they hope to regain promotion back to the Premier League.
The relegated side do not want an expected stay in the Championship and are determined to sufficiently improve their squad.
And they see Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie from Newcastle as players who can help them achieve their ambitions.
But Newcastle are not eager to sell. They would demand big fees for both players, per the Chronicle Live.
Gayle would be the hardest to obtain, with the source suggesting Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez would only sell him if a proven striker arrives at the club first.
The striker is happy at Newcastle too. So is Ritchie, who enjoyed a good last couple seasons at Newcastle, managing 15 goals and 12 assists in 77 games across those two years.