The 22-year-old joined the Blues from Porto last summer but was immediately loaned to Dutch club Vitesse Arnhem, where most Chelsea youngsters are sent to get vital game time.

He scored 5 goals in 28 appearances for Chelsea’s feeder club but it seems he hasn’t impressed boss Jose Mourinho enough to be a part of his squad this season. The former Real Madrid boss instead wants Atsu to get some Premier League experience and the winger is close to securing a season-long loan away from Stamford Bridge.

Everton, who recently broke their club record to sign forward Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea, want to raid them again for Atsu with Roberto Martinez very keen on the Ghanian. Lukaku excelled at Goodison last season and Chelsea are willing to let Atsu develop under the Spaniard.

A report in the Daily Mail claims that Sunderland and Aston Villa were among the Premier League clubs interested in Atsu but it seems that Everton have won the race for his signature and an announcement is imminent.