Moussa Sissoko leaves France training but Tottenham balk at £30m valuation

Moussa Sissoko has taken a giant step towards leaving Newcastle United after being given permission to leave the France camp – but front-runners Tottenham Hotspur are yet to match the player's £30m valuation. Didier Deschamps has allowed Sissoko to leave the team's Clairefrontaine training base ahead of the friendly with Italy and World Cup qualifier against Belarus however his destination remains unknown.

The Press Association understand the Toon are demanding £30m for Sissoko, a fee they will accept in £6m instalments. Spurs are balking at the valuation of the 27-year-old who impressed at the summer's European Championships but was part of the Magpies side which was relegated from the Premier League last season.

Despite the French Football Federation allowing Sissoko to leave training to settle his future, his next club appears no closer to being confirmed as both Newcastle and Tottenham battle over the player's valuation. Sissoko has not played this term for Rafael Benitez's Championship side yet was expected to become the latest big-name player to take his leave.

Tottenham's opening offer for Sissoko on deadline day in the summer transfer window was understood to be around £16m, according to The Mirror, just over half of what Newcastle were demanding for the wantaway Frenchman. Sissoko has continually attempted to force his way out of St James' Park and claimed earlier this month he would be receptive to interest from Real Madrid.

"I hope Real will come for me, I'm still waiting," Sissoko told BBC Sport. "If Real Madrid are interested in you then of course you will be happy, but right now I am still a Newcastle player. "I spent three-and-a-half years here. I gave everything for this club and I want to play some big games. For that I need to go somewhere else.

"I want to play in the Premier League, I want to play for a big club who can get into the Champions League. That's why I said I want to leave this year. I've spent a lot of time here and now it's time to look forward. The fans need to understand my situation, I hope they will and that everything will be OK."

The Daily Mail understand Tottenham are close to losing patience with Newcastle and could move for Manchester United's Morgan Schneiderlin instead of Sissoko. The former Southampton man has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and could see a link-up with former boss Mauricio Pochettino as a way of reigniting his career.