Newcastle United are determined to rebuild their side this summer around midfielder Moussa Sissoko, despite the Frenchman being linked to a number of top European sides. The 25 year-old has attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in recent transfer windows, yet The Chronicle claim the Magpies will reject any advances for the 28-cap France international. With Newcastle hoping to convince Manchester City's Elite Development coach Patrick Vieira to take up the hotseat at St James' Park, the club's hierarchy realise the former Arsenal midfielder would want to build his side around Sissoko. And even if Vieira rejects the opportunity to move to the North East, Newcastle believe they can get more out of Sissoko if he is utilised in his favoured position in the centre of midfield. Sissoko has been deployed in a variety of roles since arriving at St James' Park from Toulouse in January 2013, but he has played his best football when he has been allowed the freedom to advance with the ball through the middle of the pitch. To date he has scored 11 goals in 94 Newcastle appearances, but if better players are brought in to play alongside Sissoko then he could still flourish on Tyneside. Interestingly, speaking after Newcastle retained their Premier League status for another season, Sissoko did not deny he wants to play for a "big club" one day, but pledged his future to the Magpies. He said:
"I want to play for the biggest clubs but I feel good at Newcastle. I still have a four-year contract and, yes, I want to stay in Newcastle - I can confirm that. "There's everything there (at Newcastle) to be successful and I hope the president (Mike Ashley) will recruit the players so that we can be competitive next season. "I don't want to leave the Premier League as it is the one that suits me the best. In the last transfer window I learned like you did - on TV - that PSG were interested in me, but nobody came to see either me or my agent."
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NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
