Defiant Newcastle slap £26.6m price tag on wanted star

NEWCASTLE have moved to ward off interest in midfielder Moussa Sissoko by reportedly upping his transfer value to £26.6million.

 

Moussa Sissoko is unlikely to be joining Stadio San Paolo side Napoli

 

Magpies boss Steve McClaren is determined to keep his squad together ahead of a nervy survival battle this spring.

Sissoko has reportedly attracted the attention of Italian giants Napoli, while a host of Premier League clubs were linked with a move last summer.

It was claimed Napoli would be ready to make a £12m offer for the 26-year-old to bring him to the Stadio San Paolo.

 

But Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport report that Newcastle want more than double that figure.

According to the claims, Napoli are unwilling to meet those demands but are confident they can whittle down the fee.

 

Competition in the Toon midfield intensified last week with the signing of £12m Swansea ace Jonjo Shelvey.

The England international, 23, went straight into McClaren's first team and was instrumental in Saturday's 2-1 win over West Ham.

 

As for Sissoko, the Frenchman is yet to score in 28 appearances for Newcastle this season.

Napoli are reportedly keen to add to their midfield muscle as they chase a first Serie A title since since 1990.

They sit top of the table, two points ahead of defending champions Juventus and four in front of third-place Inter Milan, with 18 games of the season remaining.