Moussa Sissoko is being targeted by Arsenal and could be the first Newcastle star to leave because of their relegation from the Premier League, according to the Mirror.
Midfielder Sissoko was appointed skipper by manager Rafa Benitez late in the season, and responded with some of his best form towards the end of the doomed campaign.
The France international is one of the big assets certain to leave St James’ Park and start afresh elsewhere now the Magpies are a Championship club again.
He is a long term target of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who is looking to add power and pace to his midfield and has also been linked with Borussia Monchengladbach’s Swiss international Granit Xhaka .
The 26-year-old will offer Arsenal’s technically gifted midfield a different, more physical dimension, and could cost Wenger up to £10m.
Benitez will be reluctant to let Sissoko leave but there are a small group of internationals at the club who Newcastle simply won’t be able to keep after dropping out of the top flight.
Meanwhile, boss Benitez is continuing negotiations with the club and it is expected to be confirmed sometime from Tuesday next week that he is staying on as manager.
Lawyers and agents from both sides are finalising an agreement, which will pin down in writing the scope of the Spaniard’s power.
Newcastle’s Championship campaign will start on August 6, and their players who do not figure in the European Championship this summer will resume training at the end of June.
Discussions are ongoing about the budget Benitez will get and how that money will be raised, but sources say there are no causes for alarm.
Other players vulnerable to transfers include England winger Andros Townsend and top-scorer Holland international midfielder Gini Wijnaldum.
Benitez could try to loan bigger names on long contracts out for the season for a fee, with a view to bringing them back if the Magpies win promotion at the first time of asking, rather than cash in permanently.
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