Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez is understood to have sanctioned a move for Christian Atsu on a permanent deal from Chelsea.

The Magpies are believed to have taken up the option to sign the Ghana winger from Chelsea and Benitez has dipped into his summer spending kitty to net a £6.2million deal.

Atsu will now join up with United again on July 3 for pre-season training.

The Ghana international made 34 appearances for the Magpies last season and netted five goals during the Magpies’ Sky Bet Championship title winning campaign.


Atsu had spoken of his satisfaction during the season after Rafa Benitez finally gave him regular first team football.

He commented earlier in the year: ''I am enjoying my time here much more than at any of my previous clubs.

''I am getting more playing time, and that makes everything much easier for me.

''I couldn’t play many games at Everton, and then I went to Bournemouth and didn’t play one single Premier League game.

''It was appalling.

''A very difficult time for me.''

Atsu will certainly have a point to prove in games against Everton and Bournemouth next season.

United are still in the hunt for another winger with the club set to bolster the squad ahead of their return to the top flight.

Rafa Benitez has been on Tyneside in the last 24 hours as work behind the scenes continues.