Benitez: Newcastle don’t want to sell Sissoko

Matt Stead

Rafael Benitez insists that Newcastle do not wish to sell Moussa Sissoko this summer.

Sissoko emerged as France’s Mr Versatile at the European Championship, where he impressed after a difficult season with Newcastle culminated in Premier League relegation.

The midfielder was subsequently linked with Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham, but Newcastle held firm and demanded a £35m fee, to which his agent reacted angrily.

Speaking to NUTV, manager Benitez has reiterated that the club wish to retain the 26-year-old’s services.

“I’m really disappointed because [France] couldn’t win the final,” said the Spaniard. “I was really pleased for [Sissoko] though, because he was doing really well.

“We know he finished the season in really good form for us – I made him the captain, so I rate him really highly.

“I’m disappointed because they didn’t win, but happy because of his performances. Now we have to wait.

“People are talking about ‘this price’ or ‘this price’- but we don’t want to sell, so we haven’t put any price [on him] and we are pleased, we are happy with him.

“I appreciate him too much to think that we will miss him, so we know he has done really well and a lot of people will be talking about him.

“But we’d like to see him here and that’s it.”