Arsenal Transfer News: Clinton N'Jie Attempt Reportedly Made, Latest Rumours

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly turned down Arsenal's advances for Clinton N'Jie before the Cameroonian's proposed loan move to Olympique de Marseille was agreed, according to L'Equipe (h/t Get French Football News).

The pacey winger failed to win over Spurs head coach Mauricio Pochettino last term following his August 2015 arrival from Lyon on a five-year deal, and he is set to be shipped out.

Per L'Equipe, the terms of the deal include a season-long loan move to the Stade Velodrome, followed by a semi-mandatory €7 million (£5.8 million) transfer figure should the attacker reach a certain number of appearances. A clause in the deal reportedly states the Ligue 1 club will not have to pay the fee should they be relegated.

According to the newspaper, the Cameroon international, 22, caught the attention of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, with the Frenchman reportedly expressing an interest in signing the youngster in recent times. 

French football writer Matt Spiro backed those claims on Twitter:

Meanwhile, Simon Collings of Hayters made it clear he felt Tottenham's decision to reject the offer was a simple one:

Spanish side Villarreal also enquired about the player, but N'Jie appears set for Marseille, with France under-21 international Georges-Kevin Nkoudou moving in the opposite direction for £11 million, per Ed Aarons of the Guardian.

Had the north London switch gone ahead, N'Jie would have become just the 13th player to have represented both clubs and the first since William Gallas' transfer in 2010, per John Ley of the Daily Telegraph. 

Tom Hevezi/Associated Press

Other notable players to have played for both sides include Sol Campbell, after his infamous decision to head to Highbury in 2001, and legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings—perhaps the only player to have been truly admired by both sets of supporters.

Per Mark Lawford of Yahoo UK, Wenger's side had shown an interest in the former Lyon attacker before his move to White Hart Lane 11 months ago. 

However, N'Jie claimed a move to the Emirates Stadium was never on the cards. He said: "I was never scared that my transfer to Tottenham would not be confirmed. I never spoke to Arsenal representatives on the phone, they simply contacted my agent. My choice was made, I was determined to join Tottenham."

Per WhoScored.com, N'Jie made just eight Premier League appearances in his debut campaign in English football after being purchased with a chunk of the money retrieved from the Roberto Soldado sale to Villarreal. After failing to secure a place in the Spurs lineup, it appears unlikely he will be able to revive his fortunes at White Hart Lane any time soon.

One player who could be joining up with last year's runners-up is Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko, per TalkSport's Warren Haughton.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

The France international is expected to leave St James' Park this summer following the club's relegation to the Championship. On the back of a personally triumphant UEFA Euro 2016 campaign—embodied by his supreme performance in the final against Portugal—Sissoko's valuation has increased.

The Chronicle's chief sports writer Lee Ryder believes Newcastle fans have made their thoughts abundantly clear on the issue:

Per Haughton, the Magpies are holding out for bids of £35 million for the 26-year-old former Toulouse general. Wenger is reportedly unwilling to shell out that sort of money for Sissoko but faces competition from the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool and Crystal Palace for his services.