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Moussa Sissoko is understood to be waiting for a firm bid from Real Madrid after the global giants entered the race to sign him in the last 24 hours.

Indeed, reports that Zinedine Zidane’s side want Sissoko are believed to be accurate – which means that both Juventus and Everton could miss out on his signature.

Paul Pogba’s mooted transfer to Manchester United was expected to see Juve swoop for Sissoko, but Real could beat them to it as the transfer window hots up.

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But talk that there could be a player coming in the opposite direction as part of the deal aren’t likely at this stage, despite Rafa Benitez’s contacts with Real Madrid.

While other clubs have not been able to stump up the £35million asking price in full the La Liga side’s financial muscle means they won’t have a problem meeting the fee or Sissoko’s demands for what would be a dream move for the midfielder.

Newcastle had told Sissoko he was expected back on Tyneside on August 1 after his extended holiday.

Yet club officials don’t expect to see him again as a Newcastle player with his representatives given the green light to push on and find a club willing to pay United’s asking price.

Sissoko has gone public on several occasions to state his desire to leave and with Gini Wijnaldum’s exit to Liverpool unfolding this week, it is anticipated that Sissoko will follow him out of the door soon.