Christian Atsu (Getty Images)
According to the Watford Observer, Watford are among a number of Championship clubs to have made contact with Newcastle United over a potential loan deal for Christian Atsu.
The 28-year-old Ghanaian international, who turned down a loan move to Celtic earlier in the summer, has been told by Magpies boss Steve Bruce that he won’t be in the club’s 25-man Premier League squad. Atsu has only one year left to run on his current deal at St. James’ Park.
Christian Atsu won the Primeira Liga title with FC Porto and spent time on loan at domestic rivals Rio Ave in Portugal before being snapped up by Chelsea as an exciting prospect. However, he failed to make a single first-team appearance for the Blues and spent time on loan at Everton and Bournemouth in the Premier League, as well as at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland and Malaga in Spain.
Atsu joined Newcastle United on loan with an option to buy in the summer of 2016 and helped the Magpies secure promotion to the Premier League as the outright winners of the Championship. The 28-year-old registered 5 goals and 3 assists in 32 league appearances for Newcastle during the 2016-17 campaign, thus paving the way for a permanent move to Tyneside.
However, the left-footed winger hasn’t really managed to make a big impact in the Premier League, registering just 3 goals and 5 assists in 75 outings for the Magpies. Atsu featured prominently under former manager Rafael Benitez but slipped down the pecking order drastically last term following the appointment of Steve Bruce.
A full international for Ghana since 2012, Atsu has scored 9 goals in 65 appearances for his nation, representing the Black Stars at the 2014 FIFA World Cup as well as 2015 and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Watford currently lack specialist wide attacking options in their ranks. Ignacio Pussetto and Gerard Deulofeu sealed loan moves to Udinese and Napoli in the Serie A before the international deadline while Danny Welbeck has been allowed to depart on a free transfer.
Man United might no longer pursue Ismaila Sarr after having a loan-to-buy offer knocked back but the Senegalese could still join a top-flight side before October 16. That would leave Vladimir Ivic with wing-back Kiko Femenia and Ken Sema as his only options out wide.
Christian Atsu, to that end, fits the bill as an out-and-out winger who could add a bit more depth and variety to Watford’s attack with his ability to operate on either side of the pitch.
The Ghanaian was one of the stars of Newcastle’s promotion-winning campaign in the Championship in 2016-17. While he hasn’t done an awful lot in the top-flight, a move back down to the second-tier would allow him the opportunity to resurrect his career.
It goes without saying that Watford need a well-structured squad with adequate depth in all departments to cope with the challenge of a 46-game marathon in the Championship and possibly challenge for promotion at the first time of asking.
Christian Atsu would be a decent addition to the club’s forward line, not only due to his obvious pedigree as a winger but also because of his past promotion heroics with Newcastle.