It’s finally happening. For sulking Moussa Sissoko, there might well be a reason to smile at the end of a frustrating summer as latest reports suggest the midfielder has been given permission to leave the France training camp in order to fulfil his heart’s desire of leaving Newcastle United for good. His penance and hard work of sitting and giving emotional interviews on how he deserves better from this unrelenting slug called life looks to have finally been rewarded with Tottenham Hotspur the likely club who are looking to push a deal through.
But with Daniel Levy it is expected the negotiations will not be smooth, and according to reports Tottenham have bid in the region of £16m for the player whereas the Magpies are holding out for £30m. Though they are ready to accept the payment in installments, Sissoko will not be breathing properly till a fee is agreed upon.
Ever since the relegation, Sissoko, along with fellow star players at the club have been restless and itchy at the club. With clear signs of discontent and the unwillingness to serve the team in the 2nd tier of English football, they have started agitating for a move-out. Sissoko has been quite vocal about his desire to leave and he has openly professed his admiration and love for clubs such as Arsenal and made desperate and illogical plea to Real Madrid to come get him. But Newcastle United have been equally up for the ensuing transfer charade and had slapped an improbable tag of £35m of the want-away Frenchman.
Tottenham have Champions League to contend with this season along with their ambition of replicating their last year’s exploits and compete in the domestic cups. Whoa! And it is evident all this is not going to be possible with Victor Wanyama and Eric Dier. They do have the attack-minded midfielder in Dembele but with his iffy injury record, one just cannot overlook the need for proper alternatives. With Ryan Mason being allowed to leave for Hull City, a midfielder was expected.
Setting aside his pleas and charades, one does admire the potential of this French International. While Newcastle fans will not remember him too fondly with his Jekyll and Hyde transformation in a matter of months this year. Performing miserably in Newcastle’s relegation dogfight to outmuscling the German defence throughout the 90 minutes and putting the likes of Pogba in the shade, he has been frustratingly brilliant. At his best, Moussa is an unstoppable force and he could add that drive to Tottenham’s midfield, something that they don’t necessarily have at the moment. Which is why it could be one hell of a deal despite his recent frowns.
And the only question the fans will be asking is which Sissoko Tottenham are likely to get if he shows up at White Hart Lane.
