The January transfer window went by without a Forest link to Christian Atsu and the winger might have been handed a Newcastle reprieve.
Steve Bruce has admitted in today’s press conference that the Ghanaian has been handed the final space in his 25-man squad.
The 29-year-old has been linked with the Reds previously and has fallen out of favour at St James’ Park.
Bruce has admitted today, however, that he has reinstated him into his Premier League squad.
He told the Sunderland Echo: “Christian Atsu comes back into the squad. There was only him or Henri Saivet to choose from, so it was pretty straightforward.”
Despite Forest’s search for a winger, Atsu was a name that escaped the usual speculation during the January transfer window.
The rapid performer signed for Newcastle for £6 million during the summer of 2017.
He has made 121 appearances for the Magpies, scoring eight goals and registering 10 assists.
With those sort of numbers, it would have perhaps been an underwhelming signing, to say the least.
Having failed to make a matchday squad in the Premier League all season, his chances of featuring still look slim.
He will, however, be an option should Bruce struggle with an injury crisis during the rest of the season.
Would Atsu have been a decent addition?
Given his time spent not playing football, Atsu would have represented a huge risk.
The man with 60 appearances for his country has barely played this season and started just six matches during 2019/20.
Factor in that he’s paid £30,000-a-week at St James’ Park and you’ve got all the ingredients for a recipe of disaster.
Atsu might find himself thrust into first-team action at Newcastle but he shouldn’t be on the radar at Forest.
The average age of the playing squad at that City Ground needs lowering and at 29, Atsu won’t do that.