Tottenham’s £30m signing Moussa Sissoko may soon regret his comments about Arsenal during Euro 2016

It's been a funny old year for Moussa Sissoko.

The 27-year-old midfielder was powerless to stop Newcastle United's slide into the Championship in 2015/16, yet, despite an unimpressive season on Tyneside, found himself one of the star performers in France's Euro 2016 campaign. Sissoko impressed so much in the hosts' run to the final that he linked with a number of clubs throughout the summer, including European champions, Real Madrid. The move the the Bernabeu has failed to materialise, but it seemed likely that Sissoko would leave Newcastle on transfer deadline day. Early reports are suggesting that Sissoko was on the cusp of a move to Tottenham, with Sky Sports sources suggesting Mauricio Pochettino would move to bring the player to White Hart Lane. Everton made a late bid but Tottenham got their man. https://twitter.com/MoussaSissoko/status/771104537453232128 This was not the first time that Sissoko had been linked with a move to North London this summer. During the Euros, Sissoko gave an interview to Foot Mercato, where he confirmed his intentions to leave Newcastle and described how he was flattered to be linked with a move to Spurs' rivals, Arsenal.

"It is very flattering. Arsenal is one of the best European teams. To be watched by that sort of club, that proves that you are a quality player. "Everyone knows, I often said it when I was young, Arsenal is the club of my heart, because there were quite a few French players there like Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Patrick Vieira who was my idol… "The beautiful Arsenal. We will see. I cannot tell you if I am going to go to Arsenal. For the moment, I am focused on the French national team and the Euros."

We're sure Spurs fans will be delighted to hear a new signing has spoken about their fiercest rivals in such glowing terms. If he starts doing his talking out on the football pitch and helps Spurs push for the title, those comments could soon be forgotten. The new GAA Hour football podcast is here. Listen to Colm Parkinson, Senan Connell, and Barry Cahill dissect a classic between Dublin and Kerry. Subscribe here on iTunes.