Newcastle considering £6.5m offer for Chelsea loanee Atsu

Newly-promoted Newcastle United will make a final decision whether to sign Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu in May.

The Magpies can activate a clause and make the Ghana winger’s stay at St James’ Park permanent, but Rafa Benitez will first weigh up whether Atsu is good enough to be part of Newcastle’s Premier League campaign.

Atsu has not been first choice at Newcastle and has found it tough to nail down a consistent place in the team with Matt Ritchie and Yoan Gouffran often picked ahead of him.

Atsu has made just 13 starts for the Magpies in the Championship with 17 appearances from the bench.

When asked about his future, Atsu said earlier in the season: “Newcastle is a big club and I respect them.

“Right now I am concentrating on playing football.

“It is their decision at the end of the season.”

Atsu has just one year left on his current deal at Chelsea and the Blues won’t stand in his way if he wants to leave.

A £6.5million fee has been mooted but Newcastle will explore other options out wide.

Andros Townsend was linked with a move to United in January and could come back into the equation this summer.