Moussa Sissoko Maintains Arsenal Hope, Bafetimbi Gomis Ignoring Transfer Rumours

A deadline-day move for Newcastle United's Moussa Sissoko would require "ridiculous money" on Arsenal's behalf, with any hopes of landing Bafetimbi Gomis dashed after the Frenchman professed his loyalty to Swansea City.

Having improved their defence with the acquisition of Brazilian Gabriel Paulista, midfield may be the one area in which Arsene Wenger looks to improve next. The Independent's Simon Rice quotes Sissoko in still being allured by the thought of an Arsenal switch:

"

Arsenal made me dream when I was a youngster. Patrick Vieira was my idol. I saw myself in him. For now, I'm a Newcastle player and I am happy at the club. I want to play in major competitions and I want to do it with this team.

"

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It's a predicament for the Magpies which bears similarities to that of Yohan Cabaye this time last year, where it was Yohan Cabaye showing signs that he wanted a St. James' Park exit before departing for Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners were involved in that race, too, but caretaker manager John Carver has issued a hands-off warning to the north Londoners, stating it would need a hefty sum for his midfielder to move at the last minute:

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If you see the way he trains and the way he is playing, I am telling you now - he is going nowhere. Unless somebody comes in with a ridiculous amount of money, he is going nowhere. He is focused and he has got his mind on the job. He has been absolutely first class.

It annoys me when you see a player who has been tapped up by somebody else, and he doesn’t train properly or perform properly. That’s what annoys me and he is certainly not doing that. I have experienced that, I am not going to mention players, but I have seen with an awful lot of players that once they have been tapped up to go somewhere they down tools, and it is so obvious.

"

Newcastle fans will be encouraged by Carver's appraisal of Sissoko and his ability to persevere through the quagmire of transfer speculation, especially after rising to become such an important member of their squad this term.

According to Squawka, the 25-year-old has created 25 scoring chances in 21 Premier League appearances this season, attempting 111 dribbles in the process.

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However, Carver would undoubtedly prefer that his asset defer against commenting on the prospect of a move to the nation's capital, especially with deadline-day rumours in full effect.

Rice goes on to report that a £20 million figure may be enough to tempt the Magpies into selling, with Squawka's Nic English agreeing that the Frenchman's comments come off as slightly desperate:

If Newcastle are serious about hanging on to their prized player, it seems unlikely the Gunners will fork out the sum necessary for his move and may instead hold on until summer to make their move again.

Another outfit digging their heels in amid Arsenal interest is Swansea City, who, having just seen Wilfried Bony sold to Manchester City, are unwilling to do business for striker Gomis.

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Bony moved to the Etihad Stadium in a £28 million that leaves Gomis with stronger chances of thriving at the Liberty Stadium, but his progress has been interrupted with a long line of rumours of late.

However, it now appears the former Lyon attacker is willing to put all rumours behind him and concentrate on his current club, taking to his official Twitter account:

It comes as welcome reassurance for those in the south of Wales, who won't have been happy to see two of their elite forwards leave in a matter of weeks.

FourFourTwo reported that Arsenal were among the clubs looking to prise Gomis away from the Liberty Stadium, presumably as another backup option to Olivier Giroud.

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Wenger already has Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez, both capable of plugging a void up top in any absence of Giroud.

And with Chuba Akpom now emerging as another potential starlet to watch in the first team, it appears unlikely Gomis will be adding to those squad options in January.