Surprise surprise. Just days after it was apparently revealed by the Newcastle Evening Chronicle that Moussa Sissoko wasn't going anywhere and that Alan Pardew did not leave the club in response to the revelation that his star asset would be sold, there's now news that the Magpies are rumoured to be in talks with Arsenal over his sale. The transfer window is not yet officially open, but with the Gunners well beaten by Southampton on New Year's Day and Sissoko's impressive forward play being the biggest plus point of Newcastle's inevitably stuttering season, early business would make sense for Arsene Wenger. The news comes from French source L'equipe, who claim that negotiations are already ongoing between the two clubs - presumably following on from the reports that Arsenal had cheekily offered just £9m for the French international. Newcastle will presumably want to hold out for more like the £15m that he's valued at (Newcastle fans will say it should be higher, but he cost very little, so in profitability terms that probably makes sense), as replacing him will be difficult even with Siem De Jong returning from injury in the early stages of 2015. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen: not three days ago Sissoko was quoted as saying he had no intentions to leave:
Im happy here I said all along I was happy here at Newcastle. I will be here and trying to do my best for this club in 2015.
That should be good news for Newcastle fans: despite the media's gleeful assumptions that Alan Pardew the victim had all of his best players sold out from under him, all of those stars openly wanted moves. And seeing a dismissal of rumours in the press might be taken as indication that Sissoko won't go so willingly. If Arsenal bid the right amount - and Newcastle won't be shortchanged as they were on Yohan Cabaye last year - then his intent to stay won't matter. But Arsenal like a bargain as much as their North East counterparts, so it's unlikely negotiations would go quickly if everyone is trying to get the best deal. How much is Moussa Sissoko worth?