Newcastle Unitedmanager Rafa Benitez has told clubs interested in acquiring Moussa Sissoko to put their money where their mouth is, afterthe Spaniard was quoted in Tuesday'sDaily Expressedition responding tothe ongoing saga concerning the France international.
Premier League sides Crystal Palace ,Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, alongside Serie A club Inter Milan, are all believed to be vying for Sissoko's signature.
Rafa Benitez with plenty to say on #EFC's potential move for Moussa Sissoko: https://t.co/bIWPpuh9Fs pic.twitter.com/rg71ISDXDf
But Benitez says that it is time for the chatter to stop and for interested parties to stump up the alleged £35m it would take to prise Sissoko away from St. James' Park.
He said: "Moussa is now the big name in the market - if someone wants Moussa, they have to pay.
"If we are happy with the price and he is happy, then we can maybe consider.
"But, if we are not happy, then he can stay here and I will be really, really pleased to keep him."
Sissoko has spoken of his desire to leave Newcastle United after the North East outfit were relegated from the Premier League last season.
The midfielder starred for France at the Euro 2016 Championship in the summer, including a Man of the Match performance in the 1-0 final defeat to Portugal.
London pair Arsenal and Tottenham are claimed to be long term admirers of Sissoko, and have been keeping tabs over his availability throughout the summer.
And, on Tuesday, French newspaperL'Equipe also revealed that Everton and Inter Milan had apparently joined the race to sign the 27-year-old.
Despite a number of high-profile clubs all looking to strengthen their squads with Sissoko's signing, however, the Magpies are yet to receive a concrete offer for the pacy midfield man.
Sissoko has made 133 appearances since joining Newcastle in a £2m deal in January 2013.