We’re into the countdown. Not a Richard Whitely homage but something more sinister: Moussa Sissoko’s return to training. Eleven days, according to the Chronicle Live.
Feelings are running high, with a deeper sense of betrayal than Gini Wijnaldum’s departure for Liverpool. Sissoko rubbed our noses in it with his recent comments in France Football about wanting to play in big matches with big players.
Is he past the point of no return? Not far to go in my view. Forcing a move to the Premier League may be his top priority but to dismiss Newcastle United FC when he is as culpable as others for last season, is a step too far.
Everton is the latest club to be interested in him but do I believe it? No; they were supposedly interested in Wijnaldum weeks before Liverpool. They are the ‘fall guys’ in this summer’s transfer tales. West Ham are another but at £35m, it’s going to be the likes of Arsenal who take the bait.
Sissoko may yet be here at the start of the season.