Skip to content

Sissoko plays down Real link

Image: Sissoko: Midfielder happy at Juventus despite Real Madrid speculation

Mohamed Sissoko insists he is happy at Juventus after reports emerged linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

Former Liverpool midfielder insists he is happy with Juve

Mohamed Sissoko insists he is happy at Juventus after reports emerged linking him with a move to Real Madrid. The former Liverpool man has been tipped for a Bernabeu switch as coach Jose Mourinho seeks a midfield enforcer, with Lassana Diarra likely to leave the Spanish capital. "All I know about it is from the press. It makes me happy that a club like Real Madrid want me," Sissoko told Spanish newspaper Marca. "It's fantastic, but I still have two years on my contract at Juventus - a club I have great respect for. I'm flattered by the interest from Madrid, but I'm a Juventus player." Sissoko played with Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso at Liverpool and has fond memories of partnering the Spain star during his Anfield days.

Special time

"It was a special time," he said. "Playing with Xabi is simple because he's a great player. I played really well alongside him and we had a good relationship in the dressing room - he's a great person." Sissoko has already played in Spain, with Valencia, but the Mali midfielder believes he has since improved as a player. "I'm a better player than I was at Valencia," he said. "I'm much more complete and experienced. I was 17 when I arrived in Valencia and now I'm much better after having played in England and Italy."

Around Sky