Newcastle keen to keep hold of Sissoko

Newcastle United are keen to deter Arsenal’s interest in Moussa Sissoko by offering the midfielder a new contract, according to the Mail Online.

Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger has been on the lookout for a new defensive midfielder, and has identified the France international as his top target.

The 25 year old has racked seventy-one appearances for Newcastle since signing from Toulouse in January 2013, scoring eight goals while has made twenty-seven appearances for his country, four of which came at this summer’s World Cup finals in Brazil while his one and only international goal came at the tournament, in the 5-2 win over Switzerland in the group stages.

Sissoko, who has been recently captaining the North East side, was sent off as Alan Pardew’s men lost for the first time in six league games at West Ham United on Saturday afternoon, and so will miss Tuesday evening’s trip to Burnley.