More transfer rumours today, with several media outlets running the story that Newcastle are lining up a deal to sign Strasbourg’s French U21 holding midfielder Ibrahima Sissoko.
Sky Sports report that talks have already taken place between the two clubs with all view to agreeing a £10.5m deal early in the January window, although North East correspondent Keith Downie said that a deal has yet to be agreed.
This all comes after Alan Nixon’s ‘exclusive’ for the Sun claimed that discussions had taken place and a £13m deal was close to being agreed, with the player ready to make the move to St James’ Park in the new year.
The 22 year old stands at 6ft 4 and certainly seems to have all the physical attributes to play in the Premier League. Strasbourg currently are sitting fifth from bottom of Ligue 1, where Sissoko’s team mate is former Newcastle goalkeeper Matz Sels. He’s represented France at U18, U19 and U20 level and is currently an U21 international.
There have been whispers from local journalists that Bruce believes the club made a mistake letting Mo Diame leave without a replacement last summer. It left us with Issac Hayden being the only natural holding midfielder we have, it certainly makes sense to an extent, despite the fact we took 4 points from 3 games in Hayden’s absence.
Sissoko would apparently jump at the chance to move to us, and is undoubtedly a talented player, but as always, our transfer blueprint of signing young players with no Premier League experience is also risky.
Watch this space with this one, it certainly seems to have legs.
