Why Wenger should wait til summer to bid for £16M target

Arsene Wenger is considering a £16 million move for Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko, according to the Daily Mirror.

Wenger has placed the powerful midfielder on his winter wishlist after the France international admitted that he ‘loved’ Arsenal and idolised former Gunner Patrick Vieira.

It is believed Wenger only has £20 million to spend this January and although a bringing in a centre-back is the more pressing matter at hand, the Frenchman is keen on the ex-Toulouse midfielder.

The Gunners are keeping tabs on Sissoko, who has been very impressive since joining Alan Pardew’s side nearly a year ago.

The 25-year-old has often been played in a more advanced role in midfield but can do a job sitting in front of the back four – a position where Wenger needs to strengthen, with both Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta not getting any younger.

But would a £16 million move for the Newcastle powerhouse be a wise one?

Well if Wenger does indeed only have £20 million to spend then I believe he must focus on signing a centre-back with the cash rather than attempting to sign Sissoko.

Although it would be great to see Sissoko at the club, especially after admitting his admiration for it, our defence needs to be addressed after what we’ve seen already this season. Besides, we still have Flamini and Arteta to call upon and I highly doubt that Newcastle will entertain any bids for Sissoko, who still has four-and-a-half years left to run on his existing deal at St James’ Park, when the January transfer window opens.

He would be a massive signing for Arsenal, but the Emirates faithful would bemoan the Frenchman for bringing in another midfielder rather than strengthening the back-line.

Perhaps making a move for him at the end of the season (should we finish in the top four) would be wiser, as he would be ineligible to play for us in the Champions League this season if he joined this January.