LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer Transfer News

Report: Newcastle United could lose Chelsea loanee Christian Atsu to Turkey

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez with Christian Atsu, Grant Hanley and teammates (REUTERS)
Follow us on Google Discover

Chelsea’s nomadic winger could be set for yet another loan with reports claiming Newcastle United are not keen on signing him permanently.

Newcastle United may have struggled to bring bodies in this January but, according to Fanatik, they could be one man short by the end of the month.

On loan Chelsea winger Christian Atsu had seemed likely to earn himself a permanent deal at St James’ despite starting just six Championship games all season.

After all, the Ghanaian’s speed and unpredictability means he has often been a useful weapon off the bench for Rafa Benitez this season, while his three league strikes makes him the third highest goalscorer in the Newcastle squad.

Newcastle United's Christian Atsu in action with Blackburn Rovers' Ben Marshal

Nonetheless, Atsu’s chances of finally settling down in English football after forgettable loan spells with Bournemouth and Everton appear in doubt after Fanatik reported that Turkey’s surprise table toppers Istanbul BB are in advanced negations to sign the winger on a loan deal with an option to buy at the end of the season.

Consequently, this suggests that Benitez has not been sufficiently convinced by Atsu’s performances and is therefore unwilling to turn his temporary deal into something more permanent.

Newcastle United's Christian Atsu (R) scores their first goal

The fact that he has played just 653 minutes of Championship action, coupled with reports from the Chronicle that the Spaniard is looking for an upgrade on the left wing, does not bode well for the former Porto wonder kid’s chances of remaining on Tyneside.

It looks like a sixth loan spell since 2013 beckons.