According to Football Insider, two Championship clubs have made contact with Newcastle in an attempt to sign Christian Atsu.

What's the word?

With the deadline for deals between Premier League and EFL clubs on October 16, several players' future up and down the country are still very much in question.

And Football Insider claim that Magpies forgotten man Atsu is one player who could still be heading for the exit door by the end of next week, with Nottingham Forest and Watford named as potential suitors.

The report adds that both Championship clubs are keen on the Ghana international as they believe he can help them fire them back into the Premier League for next season.

Perfect chance for Newcastle

After making the move to St James' Park in the 2016/2017 season, Atsu certainly showed flashes of promise in a Newcastle shirt.

Despite his lack of game-time, former Magpies boss Rafa Benitez was never shy in praising him, once saying: "I want to give credit to Atsu, though. Atsu was on the bench, but he came on and was quite good, and gave an impact to the team. It's one of the things I have said before: we have one or two players who, sometimes, they are not even in the squad, and they are training really well.

"Bournemouth was an opportunity for Atsu, and for Muto, to give us something, because you can see them in training, where they are very professional and they are working very hard."

But despite the high praise, things have never really worked out for the 60-cap Ghanaian. His game-time at St James' Park has gradually reduced, particularly after Steve Bruce's arrival as manager - last season saw him make just 24 appearances across all competitions.

And even when he has taken to the pitch, his end product can be left found wanting, with no goals in the 2019/2020 campaign, and just three combined in the two seasons before that.

Earning around £30k-a-week, Atsu is just wasting valuable money at this point for the Magpies, and it's surely the perfect time for Newcastle to cut their losses.

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