2. Moussa Sissoko
Nationality: French Current Club: Toulouse Position: Centre-midfield Fee: Free? The third potential signing is another tough-tackling centre-midfielder, in the shape of Toulouse midfielder Moussa Sissoko with reports (via
NUFC.com) suggesting that the 22 year-old French international turned down offers from new transfer nemesis QPR, as well as Aston Villa and Olympique Marseille. The Newcastle Chronicle are reporting that United have won the race to sign Moussa Sissoko and that the deal could be completed before the transfer window closes in just over a week, despite reported interest from Harry Redknapp's QPR. That will please Newcastle fans who might have feared a repeat of the Loic Remy situation, if Sissoko does indeed sign as expected. Toulouse sporting director Ali Rachedi had reportedly indicated that 23-year-old Sissoko would be allowed to leave the Ligue 1 club this month for a knockdown fee, and Newcastle are at the front of the queue, having changed their strategy from a summer move to an immediate one in the wake of intense interest from other parties, as well as the injuries at St James Park and Cheik Tiote's tenure at the African Nations. Some other reports suggest that the player has signed a pre-contract agreement to join the club in the summer, when his contract runs out, but he was listed as unavailable without explanation for his current side's French Cup tie against PSG tomorrow night. The box-to-box midfielder, who is a close friend of United midfielder Yohan Cabaye has made 100 appearances for Toulouse and scored eight goals. He will add bite and tenacity to a Newcastle midfield that badly needs it. http://youtu.be/3ITBvggd3R0