TheSportsCampus

Newcastle United are facing interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal for Cheick Tiote, the Daily Express reported earlier today. Tiote has been a regular in the transfer gossip column all summer long and with deadline day fast approaching, Newcastle's resolve is sure to be tested as rival clubs gather their best bids.

Tiote first played at the senior level with Belgian club Anderlecht before joining Dutch side FC Twente in 2008. After two years in the Eredivisie, the Ivory Coast international made the switch to the Premier League joining Newcastle for a small sum of £3.5 million. The defensive midfielder is an integral part of Newcastle's first team and made 24 appearances last season as the Magpies finished in an impressive fifth position in the Premier League.

Manager Alan Pardew earlier spoke of how the club was on alert relating to the status of his star players. He said, “Success for me in this transfer window would be losing none of our stars”, words which indicate strong resistance is necessary to keep hold of their prized names.

Manchester City is the latest join the queue for Tiote with Roberto Mancini seeing the Ivorian as a like-for-like replacement for Nigel de Jong, a player who in all likelihood will depart the Etihad.

Manchester United, who were apparently front runners for Tiote's signature, did not see the £20m tag set by the Magpies as reasonable, thus dropping out of the race. Meanwhile, Alex Song's departure might force a re-think from Arsene Wenger regarding the 26 year old midfielder. The following days will reveal whether Pardew can continue to call on Tiote's services for the rest of the season.