Chelsea's Christian Atsu set to join Newcastle on loan

Christian Atsu is set to be Newcastle United’s 12th signing of the summer according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old Christian Atsu is one of a number of promising players signed by Chelsea from overseas and then repeatedly loaned out, without getting a chance for the West London club.

Bought for £3m as a 21-year-old from Porto in summer 2013, Atsu was instantly loaned out to Vitesse Arnhem for the season and still hasn’t played a single minute of competitive football for Chelsea.

The attacking midfielder scored five goals in 28 Dutch league appearances but has struggled for games since that 2013/14 season.

A year’s loan at Everton saw Christian Atsu only make one Premier League start and four sub appearances, then another disastrous loan move last season at Bournemouth and the Ghanian international didn’t make a single league appearance as he struggled with injuries.

The second of the season was slightly more successful, spending the last four months of the season in La Liga with Malaga, scoring two goals in 12 appearances – although only three were in the starting 11.

In contrast to his stuttering club career, Christian Atsu is a key figure for Ghana and if he does agree to become Rafa Benitez’ 12th signing, Newcastle will miss him in the middle of the season as he will be with his country at the African Cup of Nations in Gabon in January/February 2017.