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Wantaway Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko insists his “priority” is to stay in the Premier League - though he is not entirely ruling out a “new challenge” abroad.

The 26-year-old impressed during France’s run to the Euro 2016 final and has attracted interest from across the continent.

Despite Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Manchester United being credited with an interest in Sissoko, the Magpies are yet to receive a firm offer for a player they rate at around the £35million mark.

Rafa Benitez is keen to keep hold of the powerful midfielder as well after making Sissoko captain for the final half-dozen games of last season.

Sissoko, though, appears determined to push through a move elsewhere.

“My priority is to stay in England even if I’m not against going to search for a new challenge elsewhere,” Sissoko told France Football during an extensive interview with the magazine.

“I particularly want to play with big players and in top-level matches.”

During the group stages of Euro 2016, Sissoko found himself primarily as a substitute, yet during the latter stages of the competition he forced his way into the starting line-up.

And, aside from Antoine Griezmann, Sissoko was arguably France’s player of the tournament.

So how did Sissoko rate his own performance during the competition?

“I would give myself 10 out of 10,” he added.

“I don’t feel that I’m superior to others but, from the moment where I’ve given everything, I’m not going to attribute myself another mark.

“I have nothing to reproach myself for in this competition.”

On whether he believes he is rated more highly in England than in France:

“Certainly.

“But that does not upset me and it does not surprise me.

“It is in the Premier League that I really blew up.

“In England, it is a fight at first. I am better known there.

“But you cannot say that I am not loved in France.

“They maybe do not know me.”

Does Sissoko believe the French public doubt his abilities when compared to the rest of the national squad?

“If you look at the players in the national team, every single one finished in the top five in a league, they have played in the Champions League or Europa League, and me, with Newcastle, I was not playing in Europe and we went down to the second division.

“I understand why people might doubt me.

“We have a coach who understands football; if he calls me up, it is because I have certain qualities to go up against the greatest.”

On his own personal performance in the Euro 2016 final:

“Since I have worn this [France] jersey, it was my most complete performance.

“I already felt great before the game.

“With the ball at my feet we could have made ​​a breakthrough; I know I could quickly make a difference by breaking the lines.

“It made ​​me more confident.

“But I would have preferred to be less good and for us win this trophy.”

Sissoko’s pain following Les Bleus’ Euro 2016 final loss to Portugal:

“During the five seconds after the goal, I felt wrong; I did not know what to do, where to put myself.

“On the bench, I was in tears.

“It will stay raw with me for a while.

“The title was just in front of our arms.

“We really wanted to write our own history."