Newcastle check out midfielder

Sunday, 11/12/2011

Newcastle are checking out a possible replacement for Cheick Tiote - fearing they might lose the midfielder in January or next summer.

And the Geordies are lining up one of Tiote's fellow Ivory Coast countrymen to fill his boots.

Kafouma Coulibaly has been identified as a possible replacement if Manchester United or Chelsea move for Tiote, currently out injured.

Coulibaly, 26, has been with Nice for the past three years and is the right age and the right price – around £3m – to fit into the St. James' Park transfer plans. He has been watched in the past by Arsenal.

Knowing that they could make a massive profit on Tiote, who cost around £4m from Twente, will ease Newcastle's pain of losing one of their most consistent stars.

Any would-be buyers could have to pay up to £20m for the battling midfielder who took instantly to the Premier League.

Boss Alan Pardew is likely to move in January to buy a central defender knowing he is definitely without Steven Taylor long term. The Geordie No.27 is out well into the New Year and possibly for the season after having an Achiles operation.

Pardew could also look to bolster his thin squad with another striker and holding midfielder.

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