Premier League ace considering £8m switch to Shanghai
1st February 2014 - Barclays Premier League - Newcastle United v Sunderland - Cheik Ismael Tiote of Newcastle - Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.
Premier League star Cheick Tiote has travelled to China to discuss a potential January transfer to Shanghai Shenhua.
The Newcastle United midfielder, who joined the Magpies from FC Twente back in August 2010 for a reported £3.5m, will not be in the squad to face West Ham United this weekend as he seeks an immediate exit from St James’ Park this month.
The 29-year-old, who has 55 international caps for the Ivory Coast, has failed to score in 13 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle this season.
With reports suggesting an £8m fee had been agreed (TeamTalk); United boss Steve McClaren confirmed, “There’s an approach from a Chinese team and Cheick is currently on his way to meet them.
“There’s no agreement, nothing has been finalised, nothing has been agreed, the player is just going out there to have a chat with them and see how that ends up.”