We're still three months away from the winter transfer window, but the rumour mill never stops spinning! The latest bit comes from Italian news outlet Tuttosport (via talkSport), which claims that Serie A club Torino want Chelsea attacking midfielder Christian Atsu at the club next January.
Atsu is currently on loan at Newcastle, but is yet to make a full-time appearance for the Magpies. Former Chelsea manager Rafael Benítez, who's now managing the Championship side, claimed that he's happy with the loanee despite not giving him as much playing time as once expected.
"I think he’s a good player. We brought him here because we know that he’s a good player. Maybe he is the type of player that needs to know the Championship and to understand the way we play."
"He went away with the national team in the first 10 days of his Newcastle career. We have not had much time with him but I am really pleased with him. He is a nice lad, he is working hard, he’s different to the other lads we have."
"I think he can be a good player for us."
-Rafael Benítez; Source: Evening Chronicle
The 24-year-old Ghanaian international is one of the names on Torino's shortlist for the next transfer window. A permanent deal could be arranged if Atsu returns to Chelsea before the end of his current loan assignment, which is set to last during the entire season.
Moving on permanently from Chelsea and joining English goalkeeper Joe Hart at Torino could be a the best move in Atsu’s career in some time.