Speculation is mounting that Sissoko could be set for a move away from the north east with Arsenal thought to be heading up the queue to sign the 25-year-old who was quoted as claiming that the Gunners were the “club of my heart” during an interview with Telefoot last week.
“If Arsene Wenger calls, I’ll have a man-to-man discussion with him and then we’ll see. Arsenal has always been the club of my heart,” he told the French broadcaster.
Newcastle could hold out for a fee of up to £20m for the former Toulouse attacker, who arrived at the club for just £1.7m back in January 2013.
The Magpies may have already identified a potential replacement from Ligue 1 too, with The Chronicle reporting that Newcastle have been scouting Nantes’ midfielder Jordan Veretout with a view to potentially signing the player.
A product of Les Canaris youth system, Vertout has played 78 games for the French club’s first team, scoring eight goals and providing a further 14 assists.