According to reports from Foot Mercato, Newcastle United star Moussa Sissoko has revealed he wants to sign for Arsenal during the summer transfer window.
The powerful midfielder was one of the Magpies’ better performers last season, notching up one goal and seven assists in 37 appearances, but still couldn’t prevent their relegation to the Championship.
Speaking with Foot Mercato, the 26-year-old has revealed he plans to leave the club to maintain his place in the France national team following selection for Euro 2016, fearing the limited quality of the second-tier will see him slump down the pecking order.
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He said; “If I played in the Championship, I would put my place with the French national team in jeopardy and in terms of many other things. I have already had a discussion with [Rafa Benitez].
My advisors will also have a discussion with him. I think that he knows what I want, where I want to go. So I hope that there will not be a problem for me to go and enjoy myself at another club.”
But somewhat more surprisingly, Sissoko went on to claim in the same interview that he hopes to sign for Premier League runners up Arsenal this summer, a team he has supported since childhood.
He continued; “Arsenal is one of the best European teams. To be watched by that sort of club, that proves that you are a quality player. It is good to know. I hope that I will have the chance, soon, to play for this club or for a similar club.
“Everyone knows, I often said it when I was young, Arsenal is the club of my heart, because there were quite a few French players there like Thierry Henry, Robert Pirès, Sylvain Wiltord, Patrick Vieira who was my idol. The beautiful Arsenal. We will see. I cannot tell you if I am going to go to Arsenal.”
Arsenal have already sealed one summer signing in Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka and could claim another in Jamie Vardy after activating the Leicester City striker’s £20million release clause.
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