Rafael Benitez addresses potential £35 million transfer

Sissoko

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has gone on to speak regarding Real Madrid’s reported interest in Moussa Sissoko.

Sissoko has been widely tipped to leave Newcastle United this summer but with the Magpies’ slapping a whopping £35 million price tag on the midfielder, a number of interested parties have been put off from placing a concrete bid on the table as of yet.

In fact, very few clubs possess the financial capability to splash so much cash on the 26-year-old but Spanish giants Real Madrid can most certainly afford to make such a huge investment.

According to reports emerging out of the Sun recently, claims were made that Madrid would be ramping up their pursuit for Sissoko in the coming days after missing out on top target Andre Gomes to Barcelona.

It would surely be very difficult for Newcastle to stop Sissoko from joining Madrid but nonetheless, manager Rafael Benitez has gone on to state that the Magpies will sell only if interested clubs are able to match the French international’s asking price.

When asked about the situation regarding Sissoko, Benitez told the Chronicle, “You know that we don’t talk about our business, but it’s football. We have a good squad and a lot of speculation and we can’t control that.

“We must continue doing our jobs. And if somebody comes with the right offer we have to listen but it does not mean we have to sell. We will try to keep a strong squad with the same ideas.

“Some players may be waiting for a big offer from a top side in the Premier League or in Europe. But if they have to stay then they have to stay, that’s it. We will be disappointed but it’s only because we are in the Championship.”