It has been announced today by the Chronicle’s Chief Sports Writer, Lee Ryder, that Christian Atsu is ‘very close’ to completing a permanent move to Newcastle United.
News broke from Sky Sports yesterday that Newcastle and Chelsea were in talks over a deal for the 25 year-old, but today’s news suggests those talks have progressed, with a £6.2m deal thought to be close to completion.
Lee Ryder also reports that Rafa Benitez has been on Tyneside over the past 24 hours to give the green light for the Ghanaian to join on a permanent deal.
The Mirror and Sky Sports News’ Keith Downie believe it to be a ‘done deal’:
Newcastle have agreed a deal to sign Christian Atsu from Chelsea on a four-year contract. Fee around £6.5million. More @MirrorFootball
— Darren Lewis (@MirrorDarren) May 16, 2017
Christian Atsu to Newcastle is agreed after they activated his £6.2m release clause. We understand he'll sign a four-year deal at SJP.
— Keith Downie ? (@SkySports_Keith) May 16, 2017
Atsu scored 5 goals and assisted 3 in his 35 appearances on loan this season and has often spoken out about his desire to stay with the club.
The winger endured a mixed bag of performances during his spell in the Championship. At times he’d excite and on other occasions he’d go missing, but he there can be no denying that he played a huge part in our success over the run in, with 2 goals and and 3 impressive displays against Preston, Cardiff and Barnsley on the final day.
With Gouffran likely to leave, I believe Atsu represents good value for money and a useful squad player for next season. A first team left-winger is still needed, however.