Newcastle will have to pay a portion of winger Christian Atsu's wages this summer, even if he joins Watford or Nottingham Forest on loan, a report from The Northern Echo has revealed.

Atsu is one of several players the Magpies are apparently keen to get off their wage bill this summer, and it does seem there is interest in the winger from the Championship.

Both Watford and Forest are still said to be keen on a loan deal for the 28-year-old before the domestic transfer window closes on Friday, but it seems even a move to one of those clubs for Atsu will not completely solve the Magpies' wage issues here.

According to the latest reports, Newcastle are aware that they will have to continue to pay part of Atsu's wages even if he does complete a move to one of these Championship clubs.

It is thought that Watford held talks with the Magpies over Atsu last week before the close of the international window, but the pair were unable to agree on a financial packet.

Forest are expected to face similar issues, and as a result, the Newcastle hierarchy have apparently accepted the fact that they will have to pay part of Atsu's wage if a deal is to be agreed with one of these two clubs.

Whether or not that happens is still to be decided, although Atsu is thought to have already been told he will not be part of Steve Bruce's 25-man Premier League squad for the 2020/21 season.

The Verdict

You feel it would be something of a surprise if Atsu does not complete a move away from St James' Park before Friday.

With the winger seemingly attracting more interest than any of the other players Newcastle are said to be trying to offload, you imagine the Magpies will be doing what they can to make that move happen.

That way, they will at least be able to get something off their wage budget - even if it is not as much as they initially wanted to, and that could still be important given the importance of every single penny in the current circumstances.

This would likely suit Atsu as well, considering it should give him the chance of more regular game time to earn himself the chance of securing a new club next summer, when he is out of contract at Newcastle.