Report: Newcastle agrees £6-million fee for Chelsea outcast Atsu

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez isn't wasting any time preparing his squad for its Premier League return.

The Magpies have agreed a deal worth around £6 million to sign loanee Christian Atsu on a permanent basis from Chelsea, according to the Press Association, after the Ghanaian played in 32 Championship outings and scored five goals in his temporary stint.

Although many of his showings for Newcastle were off the bench, Atsu became more influential in the latter half of the campaign to help the club finish above Brighton & Hove Albion as league champion.

Atsu shifted to Chelsea from FC Porto in 2013, but made no professional appearances for the club as he was sent out on loan to Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga, and Newcastle in the space of four seasons. Despite this constant upheaval, the 25-year-old has starred for his national team in 42 caps.

Newcastle managing director Lee Charnley was promised "every last penny" generated through promotion and player sales by owner Mike Ashley for recruitment as the club looks to re-establish itself as a top-flight force.