Newcastle warn Everton not to mess around over transfer as reported talks planned

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Published on:

17 Aug 2016, 6:41 am

By Tom Blackburn

Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has warned clubs to table big-money bids if they want to sign Moussa Sissoko.

This follows claims from French newspaper L'Equipe that negotiations will take place between Everton and Sissoko's representatives in France in the "coming days".

Benitez has now told Everton and a string of other clubs to meet Newcastle's valuation if they want to land the 27-year-old.

"Moussa is now the big name in the market - if someone wants Moussa, they have to pay," Benitez said, as quoted by the Express.

"If we are happy with the price and he is happy, then we can maybe consider. But if we are not happy, then he can stay here and I will be really, really pleased to keep him."

It is said by L'Equipe that Everton face strong competition from Inter Milan to land the attacking midfielder, while there is also interest from Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Crystal Palace.

Everton completed the £28million signing of Yannick Bolasie from Crystal Palace last Monday to go alongside the other three summer arrivals Maarten Stekelenburg, Idrissa Gueye and Ashley Williams.

Sissoko has made it clear that he wants to leave the North East club following their relegation from the Premier League and has played no part in the team's opening two matches of the season, which resulted in back-to-back Championship defeats.

The Chronicle claim Newcastle slapped a huge £35million price tag on Sissoko in the wake of his display in the Euro 2016 final and he has attracted interest from big clubs across Europe.

The Toon giants will host Reading at St James' Park on Wednesday evening, as they look to secure their first points of the season.

In other Newcastle transfer news, they eye a prolific striker from their rivals and the price tag is £8million.

Arsenal

Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United

Everton FC

Moussa Sissoko