Arsenal Linked With €20m-Rated Midfielder, Opening Bid To Be Rejected

With the January transfer set to open for business, managers are getting ready to strengthen their squads ahead of the second half of the season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Arsenal are linked with Moussa Sissoko….

Arsene Wenger is eyeing a move for €20m-rated French international midfielder Moussa Sissoko but Newcastle United are expected to reject our opening offer, according to reports.

Our season has once again been blighted by a lengthy injury list and our options in the middle of the park are thin on the ground with Jack Wilshere out until March with an ankle ligament injury, while Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey are also on the sidelines.

Many fans are hoping that Wenger will bring in a defensive-minded midfielder this winter to act as a long-term replacement for Arteta after he failed to land any of his reported targets in the summer, but it appears the boss may instead look to sign a dynamic all-round midfielder who could fill several roles.

Sissoko has emerged as a key target in recent weeks and French-based newspaper, L’Equipe, are reporting today that Wenger is keen to bring the 25-year-old to the Emirates as he looks to add some muscle to his midfield in January.

However, the news comes as the Independent newspaper claims that Newcastle United are set to reject Arsenal’s opening £9m (€11.5m) offer.

The Magpies are under no pressure to sell the French international as he’s contracted at St James’ Park until 2019, and it’s understood it would take a bid in the region of €20m (£15.5m) in order for them to contemplate cashing in.

It remains to be seen whether Wenger will be willing to go that high but Sissoko is likely to be open to the move if he does after recently admitting that he wants to play in the Champions League, while he also revealed that he supported Arsenal as a child.

“I have ambition. My goal is to play at the best clubs, playing the Champions League, win trophies, but today I am a Magpie and I am very happy.”

“Arsenal were my favourite club when I was young and my idol was Patrick Vieira. I have always loved this club and I still love them.” Sissoko is quoted as saying by the Mirror

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news

Sissoko would be a useful addition to the squad and his versatility would come in handy considering how many injuries we seem to suffer. However, I’d personally prefer to see the money spent on a specialist defensive midfielder as I think it would make a huge difference to the team if we had an established holding player to protect the back-four.