CHRISTIAN ATSU is set to leave Newcastle United - with Watford currently leading the chase to sign the winger on loan.

Watford officials have held talks with their counterparts on Tyneside over Atsu, who has been told he will not be featuring in the 25-man squad Steve Bruce has to submit to the Premier League later this week.

Nottingham Forest have also expressed an interest in signing Atsu, but Watford are currently regarded as the Ghana international's likliest destination.

While Steve Bruce does not expect to be making any more signings tomorrow despite weekend links with possible loan moves for Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Theo Walcott, the Magpies manager would like to move on four or five of his fringe players.

DeAndre Yedlin has been linked with a possible move abroad, while Newcastle would also like to move on Achraf Lazaar, Henri Saivet and Rolando Aarons, with all three players currently contracted to June 2021 even though they have no chance of making it into Bruce’s Premier League squad.