Arsenal transfer news: Newcastle United willing to sell Moussa Sissoko for £20m amid Gunners' interest

Newcastle United are reportedly prepared to listen to offers starting at £20m ($26.2m) for Moussa Sissoko. The French midfielder impressed during his country's run to the final of Euro 2016 and Magpies boss Rafael Benitez is open to the idea of selling him this summer.

Initially, the Spaniard had hoped to keep Sissoko, 26, at Newcastle for their upcoming campaign in the Championship, but he has now accepted defeat in his efforts to retain the sought-after international. Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain are all reportedly considering bids for Sissoko, who still has three years left on his current contract.

Sissoko would prefer a move to Arsenal, according to The Times, but the Gunners are said to be unwilling to ignite a bidding war with a formal offer. Newcastle, for their part, are under no financial pressure to sell despite being relegated from the Premier League last season.

Arsenal's reported interest in Sissoko comes after they sold Isaac Hayden to Newcastle for £3.5m. The England Under-20 defender spent last season on loan at Hull City and has signed a five-year deal with the Magpies, thereby ending his near decade-long spell at Arsenal.

"Newcastle is a massive football club and to be given the opportunity to come here and progress my career is fantastic," Hayden told Newcastle's official website.

"Being at Arsenal was a great experience, I learnt a lot there and have a lot to thank them for, but I needed to move on and so when Newcastle came in for me I jumped at the chance. I am still young but I want to get as many games under my belt as I can and help the team bounce back to the Premier League."