Moussa Sissoko to Real Madrid: Magpies fans 'need to understand I gave everything for this club'

The France midfielder excelled at Euro 2016, sparking interest from across Europe

The sale of Sissoko would earn the club a hefty profit on summer business (Getty)

Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko has revealed he hopes to sign for Real Madrid this summer after informing the Championship side of his intention to leave.

The France midfielder excelled at Euro 2016, sparking interest from some of the leading clubs in European football, and he has made it clear to Rafael Benitez that he does not intend on staying at St James’ Park in the second tier.

Sissoko, 26, remains part of Benitez’s squad and could feature for the match against Huddersfield this weekend despite mounting speculation that he is set to leave Newcastle in the coming weeks.

“I hope Real will come for me, I'm still waiting,” he told the BBC World Service. “If Real Madrid are interested in you then of course you will be happy, but right now I am still a Newcastle player.”

Despite some Newcastle supporters growing increasingly angry with his open stance on leaving, Sissoko said: “They need to understand, 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 okay.”