​ Newcastle United are in talks with Christian Atsu about making his season-long loan from Chelsea permanent, according to ​Sky Sports.





It is understood that the Ghanian international has an option to trigger a clause in his contract that will allow the Magpies to sign the winger for £6.2m.

Sky Sports: Newcastle are in talks with Christian Atsu about making his season-long loan from Chelsea permanent for £6.2m. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/WWlVLjvTxW — Toon Transfer News (@ToonTransfer) May 15, 2017

Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez is set to enhance his squad over the summer as his side prepare for an immediate return to the Premier League and it is thought that the Spanish boss will make Atsu his first signing.





The 25-year-old made 35 appearances for the North East club on their way to winning the Championship title, scoring five times in the process.





The winger joined Premier League Champions Chelsea from Porto in 2013, but has failed to make a single first-team appearance for the Blues. The club will be expected to cash in on the player, because with 13 months remaining on his current deal, they potentially risk losing him for nothing.

@ChelseaFC Congratulations the Blues  — Christian Atsu (@ChristianAtsu20) May 12, 2017

Chelsea have shipped Atsu out on loan to various clubs since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, including Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga.





He was previously voted player of the tournament and received the goal of the tournament award for Ghana at the African Cup of Nations in 2015.





Atsu told ​The Football League Paper as far back as November that his future at Chelsea remained uncertain.





"I cannot predict the future," he said. "All I know is that I need to work hard towards it, wherever it takes me.





"That means having a good season with Newcastle. After that, I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Nobody does."