Ritchie, another player Jefferies knows well from his spell at Hearts, has also been offered terms at Dundee United, but the prospect of joining up with his old gaffer may swing the deal Killie's way.
Ritchie played the best football of his career under Jefferies before big money moves to Rangers and Manchester City. Injuries derailed his progress but he enjoyed a succesful loan spell at First Division Walsall where he caught the eye of Berti Vogts who recalled him to the national team for the disastrous friendly in Cardiff.