Tiote could go for 'silly price'

Newcastle face losing Cheik Tiote - a reported target for Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United - in the January transfer window but only if they receive a 'silly price' for their key midfielder.

Tiote has enjoyed a stellar year on Tyneside and the Ivory Coast star is now one of the club's key players.

However, with a host of bigger clubs sniffing around St James' Park, Newcastle are effectively resigned to losing the player - especially after he admitted he has had to 'think twice' about staying because of the interested parties.

"I am flattered but there is nothing official," said Tiote, who signed a new, five-year contract earlier this year.

"When teams such as Chelsea, City, Liverpool and United are interested in you it makes you think twice, but I love Newcastle."

Although Alan Pardew has previously said it will take a special bid to prize Tiote away, he has admitted he is entertaining the idea that the midfield enforcer could go.

"You never know with the window - it's such a minefield of possibilities," said Pardew, who said he has 'learned from the Andy Carroll situation'.

"We have one or two players here that top clubs, I'm sure, would be interested in.

"The one thing I would say is that they will have to pay a lot of money to take anyone out of here because we're in a good position - not just on the playing side but financially.

"Cheik is a big target because he's a great player and great players will be targeted.

"We value him very highly here and I think, on my part, I expect him to stay.

"But that does not mean to say something might not come out of the fire. If he did go, it would have to be for a silly price."

Tiote, 25, joined Newcastle last August for a fee believed to be in region of £3.5million, although his value is widely considered to have at least tripled in the interim.

Source: Metro

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