NEWCASTLE MANAGER STEVE BRUCE has heaped praise on Christian Atsu but the Magpies boss admits that he may need to leave the club to get first team football. Celtic made an offer for Atsu in January and Neil Lennon is looking to bolster his options in the right wing position.
Bruce to @bbcnewcastle on Atsu: “I like Christian – the same goes for Muto – trains every day, works tirelessly, a good professional – but in a situation where, are they going to play enough? There has to come a time when they go and play football." #NUFC
— Matthew Raisbeck (@raisbeck10) September 14, 2020
Bruce praises the attitude of Atsu in terms of working hard despite being outside the first team setting with the Premier League side. He also acknowledges that the 28-year-old may look for a move away in order to gain first team football. The 65-cap Ghana International would likely be available for a fraction of the fee Newcastle paid Chelsea.
Atsu, a £6.5m acquisition from Chelsea in 2017, was on the fringes of Bruce’s first team and that has been compounded through the free contract arrival of Ryan Fraser. Celtic could look to get a bargain in a deal for Atsu as he has a year remaining on his deal at St James’ Park.
Similarly to Scott Sinclair, a player that had fell down the pecking order at a Premier League club, the powerful Atsu could look to resurrect his career with the Scottish Champions as Celtic chase 10AI.
Another player that Celtic will be aware of is Paddy Roberts, the Manchester City winger is likely to be able to leave this transfer window after falling down the pecking order at the Etihad.
