Tottenham "Make First Offer" For Sought-After Newcastle Midfielder

Tottenham Hotspur have made the first offer of the summer for Newcastle United's much-sought after midfielder Moussa Sissoko, according to reports in France. Foot Mercato claim that the Magpies would want at least £16.2 million (‚23 million) for the France international and that Spurs' offer is short of that mark, but do not confirm if it was rejected. Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are just four of the other European sides who have linked with a move for the 25-year-old this summer, although Sissoko said earlier this week that he was "happy" on Tyneside. And The Chronicle released a report after this original article was published quashing the rumoured offer, claiming Newcastle have not received any bids for the Frenchman.

Despite these constant rumours about his future, the 25-year-old insists he is focused on plying his trade for the Magpies and believes the club have taken a step forward with the acquisitions of both Aleksandar Mitrovic and Georginio Wijnaldum this summer. Speaking the the Shields Gazette following the Magpies€™ 4-3 tour loss against Portland Timbers 2 on Wednesday, Sissoko said:

"When you are a player, there is always a story, but I€™m still at Newcastle and I€™m happy here. "I think we have a good team and we can have a good season. We all have to work together. "For me personally, I€™m happy to be here. I€™m working for the team and for myself."

Sissoko made 38 appearances for the Magpies in all competitions last season, scoring on five occasions. But he actively flirted with Chelsea and Liverpool earlier in the summer - only for the 28-cap France international to effectively commit himself to the Magpies with his latest comments. He continued on Wednesday (Shields Gazette):

€œI know the club want me to stay, and this year they will bring in some players. €œWe have a good team so we can do something good €“ better than last year, because the last six months of last year was very poor. €œI hope we can have a better season.€

Since joining Newcastle from Toulouse for £1.5 million in January 2013, Sissoko has scored 11 goals in 94 appearances across all competitions. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.