Christian Atsu has confirmed he has returned to parent club Chelsea after completing his loan spell with Newcastle. The Magpies have an option to buy the 25 year old for £6.5million but the Ghanaian international says he has not held any discussions about remaining on Tyneside.
Speaking to the Chronicle, the midfielder says that although he is not sure what the future holds for him, he is thankful for the chance that Newcastle and manager Rafa Benitez gave him:
“(There have been) no conversations. I have not heard from Newcastle. What I will say, though, is that I owe them thanks. They have given me an opportunity – it is a big club.”
“Whatever happens in the future I thank the fans, Rafa and everyone at the club. I cannot say what will happen with me. i cannot predict football. I will go back to Chelsea first then we see.”
It is likely that now Benitez has agreed to stay on as the club’s manager after talks with Mike Ashley that decisions will now be made about Atsu and other players like Vurnon Anita and Yoan Gouffran.
Before the 3-0 win against Barnsley on Sunday, Benitez said he had told the players that their futures would be decided after he had held discussions with the owner. It is likely therefore that any uncertainty over Atsu will be resolved pretty quickly.
