Newcastle United takeover and transfer news: Winger in demand as former attacker seals Ligue 1 return

Despite the international transfer window closing on Monday, deals within England – between top flight and lower league clubs – are still allowed. That window closes on October 16.

And Atsu is a player who is attracting attention from the Championship.

According to Football Insider the wideman is on the radar of TWO second tier clubs, with Chris Hughton’s Nottingham Forest one admirer and Watford, linked with a move pre-deadline, are another.

Atsu has been edged out of the Newcastle United first-team picture in recent months by Steve Bruce, with the manager preferring returned Jacob Murphy, fresh from loan spells in the Championship with Sheffield Wednesday and West Bromwich Albion, as an option off the Magpies’ bench.

The Ghanaian, formerly of Chelsea and Everton, along with DeAndre Yedlin could miss out on spots in United’s Premier League squad.

Outcasts Henri Saivet, Achraf Lazaar and Rolando Aarons could also leave the Magpies this month, but finding takers for the trio has proven very difficult.

Meanwhile, former Newcastle United attacker Hatem Ben Arfa looks to have found himself a new club – and it’s one of the Magpies’ old Europa League foes.

According to L’Equipe, Ben Arfa could be on the verge of a deal with Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.

The 33-year-old is a free agent having played for Nice, Paris Saint-Germain, Rennes and Valladolid since his United exit in 2015.