A number of Newcastle United players have been linked with leaving the club.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez
Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez says comments in the media by players won’t change anything as he addresses the latest situation surrounding Moussa Sissoko, the Chronicle reports.
Sissoko was quoted by French publication Foot Mercato as paving the way for a Newcastle exit as he reportedly talked up a return to the Premier League with boyhood club Arsenal.
Benitez, however, insists he wants the midfielder to remain at St. James’ Park and made it clear that any messages displayed in the press by his players won’t change their situation at the club.
Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko in action with Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen
“Sissoko – he knows, because obviously I was talking to his agent, and obviously he knows that he’s an important player for us and I will try to keep him with us for sure,” Benitez told the Chronicle.
“The only thing I can say about him in terms of what he did as a player is positive. These comments in the Press, I think it’s important to realise that they will not change things.”
Sissoko enjoyed a solid season for Newcastle despite the club suffering relegation to the Championship.
Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez
Many have speculated that the French midfielder alongside Georgino Wijnaldum, Daryl Janmaat and even possibly Andros Townsend will leave the club this summer.
Townsend has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace (the Mirror) as the Eagles look to activate his buyout clause amid Newcastle’s relegation to the second tier.
Benitez, though, remains intent on keeping his squad intact and it seems any attempts of engineering a move via the media will not tempt the Spaniard into selling his key players.
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