Sunderland manager dismisses interests in Christian Atsu

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has dismissed reports he is interested in signing Ghana winger Christian Atsu.

The English media had reported on Wednesday that Chelsea have given the 22-year-old permission to speak with the Black Cats over a loan move.


But Sunderland manager Gus Poyet says the skillful Ghanaian is not part of his transfer plans.


“No [in signing Atsu]. It was Marcos [Alonso] and Fabio [Borini] who were close,” he told Chronicle Live.


Atsu is on the hunt for a new club after he was left out of Chelsea’s pre-season plans.

The former FC Porto man joined the Blues last summer on a reported five-year deal but he was immediately loaned out to Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem.


The 22-year-old who played for Ghana at the 2014 World Cup has since returned to Stamford Bridge but is likely to be loaned out for the second successive season.


English club Everton are also said to be interested in taking the Ghanaian on loan.