Arsenal transfer news: Moussa Sissoko urges 'beautiful' Gunners to save him from Championship

Exit strategy: Moussa Sissoko wants out of Newcastle
Ian
James Benge7 June 2016

Moussa Sissoko has said he wants to leave Newcastle United, and hopes that Arsenal will help him avoid a season of Championship purgatory.

The French international has often been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, and has frequently been the one doing the linking, and is among those expected to depart St James’ Park rather than spend a season in the Championship.

Though he was unable to save Newcastle from relegation in the final 10 games of the season Rafa Benitez has been given full control of the club’s transfer policy having opted not to activate the release clause in his contract on the Magpies relegation. And Sissoko urged his manager not to use that power to keep him at the club against his will.

Asked whether he had discussed his departure with the club hierarchy Sissoko told Foot Mercato: “Personally I have not spoken with the club. My advisors have. I do not know, I hope so with all my heart. I arrived there three years ago, three and a half years ago, when Newcastle was in a difficult situation and was playing for survival.

“I am not going to say that ‘I saved them,’ we were able to keep the club up.

“I have given everything for three years. I hope today that they will be clever enough to understand that in order to continue my development, I need to continue to play at the highest level.”

Arsenal were reported to be considering a £10m bid for Sissoko but have since signed Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach. However when rumours of a move to north London were put to him the 26-year-old was unequivocal in his statement.

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“It is very flattering. Arsenal are 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…

“It is a very big European club. I think that very few people would refuse to play for this club. Everyone knows, I often said it when I was young, Arsenal are 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. For the moment, I am focused on the French national team and the Euros. I have advisors who are dealing with all of that and I hope that things will go well with as little difficulty as possible for me to find another club.”

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