Christian Atsu has returned to parent club Chelsea following the end of his loan spell at Newcastle United.
The Ghanaian winger posted a video on his Instagram account showing him back at Chelsea’s training complex being assessed by the Blues’ fitness team.
The 25-year-old had a decent campaign at St James’ Park, scoring five and assisting three in 32 appearances. Only 15 of those were starts, however, as Rafa Benitez used Atsu as an impact player from the bench quite often.
The Magpies still has first refusal on signing Atsu permanently this summer due to a clause in the initial loan agreement.
But with the season over for Newcastle, and transfer window not open until June 1, Atsu has returned to Chelsea.
When pressed last month on if he’d like to say, Atsu was noncommittal as he focused only on helping the Magpies to promotion.
He said before the clash with Leeds: “We will see what happens after the season. We have fought so hard this season - this is what we wanted.
“We want to keep winning games. We do not want to give away what we have fought for from the start of the season.
“For that reason we will keep working hard, keep fighting.”
Atsu’s Instagram story comes after reports emerged in Africa that he is set to land a three-year contract at Newcastle. However, it’s not believed that a decision has yet been made as talks between Benitez and owner Mike Ashley continue this week.
Incidentally, Atsu was seeing the fitness team with 22-year-old full-back Baba Rahman who has also returned after spending the campaign on loan at Schalke. He too was linked with a summer move to Newcastle this week.
Chelsea still have two games to play this season but as Atsu isn’t among the 25 players registered with the Premier League this season, he won’t be able to play any part in those.