Christian Atsu is refusing to be drawn on his Newcastle United future amid reports that the Magpies have been given a week's deadline to complete a permanent deal, instead telling KweséESPN of the high regard in which he holds manager Rafael Benitez.
The Ghana international is a Chelsea player but spent the past season on loan at Newcastle, helping them reach the Premier League swiftly after their relegation from the top-flight.
The 30 games he played in all competitions for the Magpies in one loan season was more than he had managed for Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga combined in three loan spells combined.