According to Daily Mail, Arsenal will have a fight on their hands if they wish to land France international Moussa Sissoko this winter transfer window as Newcastle are believed to have offered their star midfielder an improved contract.
Arsenal are thought to be keeping tabs on the 25-year-old who has been continually linked with the north London outfit as Arsene Wenger seeks to land a combative midfielder to anchor the midfield.
Paris Saint-Germain are also accredited with interest in the player who has performed consistently well for the Magpies this season, but no club have yet to submit a formal offer it seems.
The former Toulouse midfielder is valued at around the £20million mark and could be the solution to Wenger’s midfield woes with Mikel Arteta continually struggling with injuries at 32-years-old and Mathieu Flamini not the world class option they crave.
Francis Coquelin has returned early from his loan with Charlton Athletic as Arsenal’s midfield injury crisis worsened, and despite his impressive performances recently it is unlikely he will continue to make an impression on the starting lineup as key players begin to return.
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Sissoko has been one of the leading lights for Newcastle during an inconsistent campaign that has left the club 10th going into the second half of the season.
Sissoko declared his happiness at Newcastle in Decemeber but talked up his ambition to challenge for trophies and play in the illustrious Champions League. With Newcastle’s change of management in motion it could go either way for the Frenchman, but before he accepts a new deal Arsenal would be wise to make a move for a player who could reinforce our lightweight midfield.
Player Profile:
Sissoko came through the ranks at Toulouse in France, breaking into their senior squad in 2007. Since then he went on to make 192 appearances scoring 20 goals. Since joining Newcastle in 2013, the Frenchman has played 65 games for the Magpies netting 18 goals – an impressive return for any midfielder.
Known as versatile box to box midfielder, Sissoko can play further forward as an attacking midfielder as well as a defensive midfielder. His all round talents have seen him represent France 27 times.
Should we buy?
Wenger knows Sissoko well from the France national team and will be fully aware of his talents. His combative nature is something the Arsenal midfield craves, while is ability to venture forward and contribute in the final third will no doubt help his cause.
At £20m he is certainly an expensive buy but not over the top for a player who is proven Premier League calibre. Morgan Schneiderlin remains top of my wishlist but Sissoko comes in at a close second. Both are preferred options over the ‘highly rated’ youngster William Carvalho who has been talked up an awful lot but yet to prove any consistency at the highest level after drawing plenty of criticism for his Chanpions League performance against Chelsea.
Do you agree Gooners? Share your thoughts below..
Rumour Rater: 3/5
1 – Never going to happen
2 – Unlikely
3 – Could be possible
4 – Likely
5 – Done deal
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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