Christian Atsu has endured a strange career with Chelsea since his £2.5m transfer from Porto in August 2013.
The Ghanaian was immediately loaned to the Blues’ affiliate club Vitesse Arnhem while the club waited on a work permit and he enjoyed a decent season with the Dutch side, scoring five goals and assisting in six more during 30 appearances.
However, he failed to make an impact at Chelsea after. Unsuccessful loan spells with Everton and Bournemouth in the Premier League followed by a forgettable temporary stay with La Liga outfit Malaga in the second half of the 2015/16 season brought Atsu to a crossroads in his career.
Rafa Benitez decided to bring Atsu to Newcastle for the 2016/17 season to aid in their promotion bid and the 25-year-old has scored three goals in 20 appearances for the Toon and has been a solid performer.
Atsu has claimed that he’s not interested in a move to Turkey despite the links and he wants to play in the Premier League again.
“Why would I go to play in Turkey when I want to play in the English Premier League? I want to settle down,” Atsu told the Newcastle Chronicle (h/t Turkish Futbol).
“I heard the rumours, but I wasn’t interested in them. I wasn’t focused on that because I knew I wouldn’t be going to play in Turkey.
“I am very happy at this club. Newcastle is a great club with a good coach, good lads and fantastic fans. I am very happy at Newcastle.”
