Transfer Centre

Alan Pardew wants Cheick Tiote stay

By Shane Callaghan, Reporter | 21 August 2014

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew hopes that midfielder Cheick Tiote will remain at the club amid speculation linking him with a switch to Russia.

Alan Pardew is hopeful that Cheick Tiote will still be a Newcastle United player when the transfer window closes.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Lokomotiv Moscow had joined Arsenal in the race to sign the 28-year-old, whose contract expires in 2017.

Pardew has revealed that the Magpies have received a "couple of bids" for the Ivory Coast international, but the Newcastle boss is keen for his midfielder to stay.

"He's just a great player, he's just a top player. There were a couple of bids but they were nowhere near the valuation we have of the player," he told Sky Sports News.

"Top players demand top fees if they are going to move, but at the moment, that isn't the case. He is our player and we are looking forward to fitting him into the team.

"He is very much under contract with us and I love the way he plays, I love his mentality to the game and I look forward to seeing him this week, hopefully."

Tiote was not involved as Newcastle got their Premier League campaign underway with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City last Sunday.