Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko admits passion for Arsenal and 'best clubs'

Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko has added fuel to speculation regarding a future move to Arsenal, admitting the Gunners are his favourite side and his ambition is to play for the best clubs.

The 25-year-old France international arrived at St James's Park from Toulouse in January 2013 for £1.8m and has become a crucial figure in manager Alan Pardew's starting line-up, while also attracting the attention of the Premier League giants.

Liverpool were linked with his services in the summer, while recent reports claimed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had him on his January shopping list to bolster the midfield alongside Brazilian starlet Lucas Silva and Real Madrid star Sami Khedira.

The French boss failed to sign a much-needed midfielder during the summer transfer window and, following injuries to Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey, he is said to be ready to renew his efforts in January.

Sissoko has suggested he would be more than happy to move to the Emirates Stadium but not until the end of the season.

"When I was young, Arsenal was my favourite club. There was my idol: Patrick Vieira. I have always liked this club. I still like it now. After that, there are a lot of rumours. I don't pay too much attention to them. I have an agent who deals with that. If something is going to happen then it will happen," the France international said, according to Standard Sport.

"I am ambitious. My aim is to play for the best clubs, to play Champions League football, to win trophies. But today I am a Magpie and I am very happy. I will be at Newcastle until the end of the season and then we shall see."

Even though some reports claimed Sissoko had signed a six-and-a-half year deal at Newcastle, his agent Frederic Guerra recently claimed he will have just one year left on his contract with the Tyneside club by the summer.

Guerra said: "He has only a year and a half on his contract at Newcastle and we are open to all proposals."