Newcastle United have the chance to sign Christian Atsu on a permanent basis for £6.5 million, but must make the decision soon.
Newcastle are running out of time to sign Christian Atsu for £6.5m
A report in the Daily Mirror has suggested that Newcastle have until today to exercise a clause that would allow them to sign Chelsea winger Christian Atsu on a permanent deal for £6.5 million.
Atsu spent the season on loan at St James’ Park, and helped the Magpies secure the Championship title and the Premier League, scoring five and contributing three assists in the second tier.
The deal that saw the Ghana international join Newcastle included a clause that would allow Rafa Benitez to bring the 25-year-old in on a permanent basis for £6.5 million, but the deadline is swiftly approaching, according to the Mirror, potentially leaving the path clear for the Blues to seek a deal with another club for the wide-man.
Though Atsu struggled to hold down a first-team place during his year with Newcastle – he started 15 times while 17 further appearances came from the substitutes’ bench – he would arguably be a decent addition for the side if he is able to recreate the form he showed in the Championship.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
However, Atsu has previously failed to capture the imagination in the top flight – playing for the likes of Everton and Bournemouth since arriving at Stamford Bridge – and that may be leaving Benitez with plenty to ponder as he looks to construct a squad capable of re-establishing itself at the highest level.
But with Benitez reportedly boasting a transfer budget of around £100 million (via Chronicle), there is arguably little risk attached to taking a chance on Atsu.
Atsu scored five times during his loan spell
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