CHRISTIAN ATSU is set to be the most high-profile deadline-day departure from Newcastle United tomorrow - 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.

In terms of deadline-day incomings, Newcastle's only piece of business could well be the arrival of Peruvian youngster Rodrigo Vilca, with the 21-year-old having agreed a move from Deportivo Municipal in his homeland for around £250,000.

Vilca was recently called up to the senior Peruvian national squad, but he will initially work with Newcastle’s Under-23 set-up rather than being integrated straight into the first-team group.

“We hope the young Peruvian player will arrive, although he will be for the academy to start with,” said Bruce.

“He’s not really going to be involved with the first team. We’ve had a young 17-year-old with us this week, and he’s done very well. He would be one for the academy too.”