Newcastle to recruit more players after signing Christian Atsu

Newly promoted English Premier League side Newcastle United are moving to boost their squad this week after delays that followed the permanent deal for their Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu.

Boss Rafael Benitez is set to make a transfer breakthrough with Eibar defender Florian Lejeune's protracted switch having taken a significant step forward.

Former Arsenal defender Stefan O'Connor has also been offered to Newcastle after he was released by the north London club with the Magpies

Press Association Sport has reported that the 26-year-old Lejeune was on Tyneside on Monday to undergo a medical after the two clubs finally agreed the terms of an £8.7million transfer.

It is understood the delay surrounded the way in which payments were to be structured, but that that issue has now been resolved and the Magpies hope to complete their swoop later this week.

His capture would come as a significant boost to Benitez, who has so far managed only to sign previously on-loan Chelsea winger Christian Atsu on a permanent basis following promotion back to the Premier League.

Fans have been alarmed to read headlines in the last week or so suggesting that the Spaniard could walk away from the club in frustration at the relative lack of success in the summer market to date.

However, sources on Tyneside have indicated that the club is relaxed about the situation, despite the hierarchy's own disappointment at the slow pace of progress thus far, and confident they have Benitez tied up in a lucrative contract.