Newcastle trigger option to sign Chelsea’s Christian Atsu – report

Newcastle United have activated Chelsea winger Christian Atsu’s £6.2 million buyout clause after his successful loan spell, ESPN FC reports.

Last month, ESPN FC reported that Newcastle had an option to buy Atsu on a permanent basis included in his season-long deal.

The Championship winners have taken up the option to sign the Ghana international permanently as they prepare for life back in the Premier League.

The 25-year-old had agreed personal terms for a permanent move when he joined Newcastle on loan last summer and is now set to sign a four-year deal.

Champions Chelsea are willing to sell Atsu, who is unlikely to break into Antonio Conte’s first-team plans at Stamford Bridge.

He scored five goals in 35 appearances for Newcastle to help them regain their place in the top division at the first time of asking.

Atsu joined Chelsea from Porto in 2013 but did not make a single senior appearance and spent the majority of his time on loan at Vitesse Anhem, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and Newcastle.