Newcastle are reportedly set to snap up Chelsea winger Christian Atsu on loan.
Christian Atsu
According to Sky Sports, Newcastle are close to completing a loan swoop for Chelsea winger Christian Atsu – but a permanent option is still being discussed between the two clubs.
The Magpies snapped up Achraf Lazaar and Daryl Murphy over the weekend, adding them to other summer signings Matz Sels, Jesus Gamez, DeAndre Yedlin, Grant Hanley, Ciaran Clark, Isaac Hayden, Mohamed Diame, Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle.
Christian Atsu in action for Everton
It’s been a busy summer for Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez, but his transfer business may not be done just yet with the transfer window set to close on Wednesday night.
Another winger is on Benitez’s wish list, and Sky Sports report that a deal to snap up Chelsea wide man Christian Atsu is close to completion, which would bring some real pace to the Newcastle attack.
Christian Atsu and Crystal Palace’s Julian Speroni
Atsu, 24, joined Chelsea from Porto back in 2013 and was tipped for a bright future having shown signs of promise in Portugal, yet three years on from his arrival at Stamford Bridge, he’s still yet to make a first-team appearance for the Blues.
The Ghanaian international, who has nine goals in 42 caps for his country, has spent time out on loan with Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga, with his career stalling in recent years.
Hartlepool United’s Nicky Featherstone (R) in action with Christian Atsu
Now though, Benitez looks set to try and rejuvenate Atsu by taking him on loan for the season, though talks with Chelsea over an option to make the deal permanent next summer are still ongoing.
Matt Ritchie and Ayoze Perez have both played out wide this season but offer technical ability rather than pace, and with Rolando Aarons out injured, signing a pacy, left-footed winger makes sense, with Atsu fitting the bill perfectly.
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