English Championship side Newcastle United are keen to snap up versatile attacker Ruben Loftus-Cheek on a six-month loan deal as replacement for Ghana attacker Christian Atsu.
The 20-year-old has featured just three times in all competitions for Chelsea this season. And his lack of first-team action has led to speculation that a stint away from Stamford Bridge could be on the cards.
Atsu, who has placed 10 games so far this season with 3 goals to his credit, is set to join Ghana for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. The 24 year old was named best player of the Afcon back in 2015 and Avram Grant will be counting on him to lead his colleagues to another success after winning silver at the previous tourney.
Atsu’s absence will certainly be missed by both management and fans who have called on the club to sign the Ghanaian permanently having moved on loan from Chelsea this summer.
Newcastle coach Rafa Benitez is still working a possible way out for Atsu’s permanent stay but will in the mean time workout a signing as his replacement during the January transfer window.