Chelsea now in the hunt for undisputed Deadline Day star

Unfathomably, the list of clubs reportedly interested in Moussa Sissoko this summer probably runs longer than his number of good games for Newcastle.

Yet, the Frenchman is undoubtedly becoming the leading actor in the drama that is Deadline Day, as suitor after suitor come knocking on the Magpies door to enquire about him.

First it was Tottenham who, after super powers like Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan had all dropped their interest, were linked with a move for the midfielder.

The price was an eye-watering £30m and, for a time, it seemed like Rafa Benitez was pulling off the con of the century.

However, once Daniel Levy realised he wasn’t ready to throw away his savvy reputation in one rush of blood, the north Londoners declined the deal too.

Now, according to L’Equipe, Chelsea have stepped up to the plate.

Their emergence as the latest potential buyers fits the current narrative that Sissoko is in London, on leave from the French squad, to conclude a switch back to the top flight.

However, it still feels a little far-fetched that the club will lavish so much money on what would essentially be a back-up player.

Newcastle are reportedly uninterested in lowering their asking price on Sissoko and with Willian holding down first dibs on Antonio Conte’s right flank, this smacks of a Deadline Day rumour red herring.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.