Newcastle star admits he is looking to leave the club
Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko says he wants to leave the club this summer as he does not want to be playing Championship football.
Speaking whilst on international duty with France at Euro 2016, he told Foot Mercato that it’s nice to hear that Rafa Benitez wants him to stay but he still wants to leave.
He said:
It is flattering that a coach like [Benitez], a great coach, wants to keep me. But I think that he is aware. I have reached a level where playing in the Championship would be difficult for me. I need to continue to evolve. I aspire to play for the greatest European clubs and to continue with the French national team. There will be discussions. I hope that they go in the right direction. I want to leave. I would like to continue my career in England, in a club that plays Champions League football.
The 26-year-old was also asked about the rumours linking him with a move to Arsenal and he admitted that it was a dream of his to play for the North London side after he grew up watching some of his fellow countrymen performing so well at Highbury.
It is very flattering. Arsenal is one of the best European teams. To be watched by that sort of club, that proves that you are a quality player. 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 Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Patrick Vieira who was my idol.
However, he also said that he is not sure if there is any substance linking him with a move to Arsenal in the summer and insisted that, for the moment at least, his focus is fully on helping France to win Euro 2016 in their home country, 18 years after they won the World Cup on home soil.
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.