Celtic have revived their interest in Newcastle winger Christian Atsu, according to reports in Ghana. The Hoops are believed to have made a new enquiry about the 28-year-old’s availability.
The Scottish champions originally tried to sign the Ghanaian international on loan during the January transfer window earlier this year only for the move to fall through.
Manager Neil Lennon is believed to be looking to strengthen his options out wide. With Mikey Johnston sidelined with injury, Celtic currently only have James Forrest and Mohamed Elyounoussi as natural wingers in the squad.
Atsu has the ability to play on both flanks. He has been mostly utilised as a left-winger at the Magpies, although he is just as capable of cutting in onto his stronger left-foot from the right-hand side.
Of course the Ghanaian came to the Premier League back in 2013 when he signed for Chelsea in a £3.5M deal as a highly touted youngster having left Porto where he began his career. Atsu was loaned out many times by Chelsea, spending time with Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, AFC Bournemouth and Málaga before signing for Newcastle permanently after you guessed it playing on loan at St James Park for the 2016–17 season.
Forward Atsu doesn’t appear to have a future at Newcastle, having started just six league games under manager Steve Bruce last season. He also managed just one brief cameo appearance at St James’ Park when the Premier League restarted in June so he may well consider a move to a club with European football to offer and a title challenge to boot. The question is do Celtic really want to sign the Ghanaian? The player has often flattered to deceive never really delivering on his potential when he was widely regarded as a genuinely talented starlet likely to achieve great things hence his Chelsea move.
