Chelsea: Malaga likely to extend Christian Atsu loan deal for one more season

Malaga are keen to extend the loan spell of Chelsea winger Christian Atsu at the La Liga side one more season, according to AS. The Spanish publication adds that the 24-year-old forward has already told the club that he is also likely to stay at the Rosaleda next campaign after he joined them in an initial six-month deal during the January 2016 transfer window.

The Blues signed Atsu from FC Porto in the summer of 2013 as a prospect for the future before sending him to Vitesse Arnhem to complete his development. The winger made an instant impact at the Eredivisie, scoring five goals and providing six assists in an impressive 30 appearances for the club during the 2013-2014 campaign.

However, the Ghana international failed to replicate that form in his following loan spells at Everton and Bournemouth. Atsu was restricted to just 13 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees last season while his spell with the Cherries during the first part of the current campaign was even less productive. Chelsea thus decided to break the agreement with Bournemouth in January to send him to Malaga for the second part of the campaign.

And it looks that the Chelsea winger has finally found his place in Spain even though he only started two La Liga games since then, scoring one goal in his debut while making eight further appearances coming from the bench.

AS claims that those 10 appearances has been enough to convince Malaga manager Javi Gracia that he deserves a place in his plans ahead of next season. The boss believes that the Ghana international has used this time to settle into the La Liga style and will be ready to prove his real worth should he stays one further season.

The Spanish publications claims that Malaga now hope Atsu will end the season on a high and will then hold talks with Chelsea to discuss a new deal. The reports add that Malaga would like to get him on loan once again rather than on permanent basis while adding that the player is also keen on the idea.