Many Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media, after The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder addressed the club’s rumoured deal for RC Strasbourg Alsace’s midfield enforcer Ibrahima Sissoko.
The 22-year-old had been widely touted as a potential January target for Steve Bruce ahead of the winter market, with reports in various outlets suggesting that talks between Newcastle and Strasbourg executives had been held.
While no deal was thought to be in place, Sky Sports claimed sources had hinted that Sissoko would be available for around £10.5million, while The Sun stated that Toon chiefs were ready to finalise a £13m pursuit of the 6 ft 4 unit.
It was also alleged that Sissoko would jump at a move to St. James’ Park, where his physical strength and age appealed to the club’s money men, though the Chronicle poured cold on those reports by suggesting that the France U21 international was just one of a number of options being considered.
Once again, the Chronicle are putting a stop to the momentum building around a January move for Sissoko as Ryder believes there has not been a single enquiry for the defensive midfield enforcer, despite The Sun’s Alan Nixon recently claiming the club are still working on a deal.
Would you back a move for Sissoko?
Yes
No
Sissoko joined Ligue 1 side Strasbourg from Stade Brest in 2018 for an alleged £1.8m, and has made 57 appearances for Le Racing in all competitions since. Twenty-two of his outings for the Stade de la Meinau natives have come this term, including four excursions in the Europa League qualifying rounds.
He has averaged 2.1 successful tackles from 3.8 attempts per 90 minutes over his 17 French top-flight appearances this season, of which 13 have come in the starting line-up. Sissoko has also recorded 1.0 interceptions, 0.7 blocks, 0.7 key balls and wins 1.7 of his 2.8 aerial duels, per WhoScored data.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Ryder refuting claims that Newcastle are still working on a deal for Strasbourg’s Sissoko…
Alex Kral then… #NUFC https://t.co/PmF9wVWxqU
— NUFC Gallowgate (@NUFCgallowgate) January 16, 2020
You missed the words “for anyone” at the end
— Stan (@StanTheGull) January 15, 2020
That’s normal for us 15 days into a transfer window.
— Andrew (@AndyhHiggins89) January 15, 2020
Not another Sissoko plz
— El Geordie 🇨🇺🇮🇪 (@HitmanHernandez) January 15, 2020
Reassuring
— Craig (@lambeau2011) January 15, 2020
Who have we missed out on then so far or made offers for then? Sounds like we haven’t actually formally done anything at this point?
— Simon (@LittleHenryD) January 15, 2020
Ryder said almiron deal was dead, then he signed 24/48 hours later lol
— DavidBaty-81 (@vomero81) January 16, 2020
Tranquility barnetta is having a medical on Tyneside.More to follow!
— MSW (@Toonattics) January 15, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club have been liked with a €30m forward having struggled to sign our primary attacking target.