Matt Ritchie could be sold this summer as part of an overhaul of the Newcastle United squad.
A report in the Sunday People claims that the 29-year-old winger is keen to secure one last big contract in his career, given that he turns 30 in September.
But whether Newcastle would be willing to sanction a lucrative extension for the Scotland international remains to be seen, particularly considering owner Mike Ashley is said to be keen to reinforce the club's preferred policy of signing players under the age of 26.
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Although Ritchie is already a United player and has another two years remaining on his contract, agreeing to pay the versatile wide man improved terms into his 30s is something the club may be reluctant to do.
It is still uncertain that Salomon Rondon's successful loan deal on Tyneside will be turned into a permanent £16.5million transfer given that the forward turns 30 later this year, too, though manager Rafa Benitez is pushing for that acquisition to be made.
Perhaps even more pertinent to Ritchie's situation is Mo Diame's on-going contract saga. The midfielder turns 32 in July and, while the club are willing to hand him a 12-month extension to his deal, the Senegalese wants a two-year contract as a minimum - and talks currently appear to be at an impasse.
Like Diame, Ritchie has been one of the key senior players in Benitez's squad over the past three seasons - with the Scotland international excelling as a winger in the Championship and then the Premier League last term.
During the current campaign, however, Ritchie - after starting the season as a wide attacker - has successfully adapted to a left-wing-back role in a 3-4-3 formation, and has once again been among United's most consistent performers.
While Benitez will be keen to retain Ritchie's services, and the club happy for him to stay on his current salary, the Sunday morning report suggests the wide man may look to depart if he can achieve more favourable terms elsewhere.
If that was to be the case, Newcastle would hope to recoup the £12m fee they paid Bournemouth for Ritchie back in 2016.
Last summer, Championship side Stoke City made a £15m bid for Ritchie, as well as a sizeable offer to the player himself, and Benitez did at one stage contemplate allowing the winger to depart.
However, he wanted Crystal Palace's Andros Townsend to be signed as a replacement first, but United were quoted an eye-watering £30m for their former winger.
If Ritchie does depart this summer, Benitez will want reassurances that an experienced replacement can be signed if the United manager is to agree to a contract extension beyond the end of this season.
The report claims that Ritchie could be just one of a number of first-team players who leaves this summer - and, although no other names are mentioned, the long-term futures of senior Magpies such as Diame, Jonjo Shelvey, Joselu, Karl Darlow and Isaac Hayden remain uncertain.
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