Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tioté. (Photo : Getty Images)
English Premier League squad Newcastle United FC is reportedly going to block the move of Chinese Super League team Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC for its Ivorian midfielder Cheick Tioté before the Chinese winter transfer window closes on Friday.
Daily Mail Online indicated that the Magpies are keen on blocking the 29-year-old footballer's "move to China this week" after the reigning five straight CSL champions "made a late push" for the midfield defender as the country's transfer window draws to a close.
Newcastle officials were initially "ready to sell" the Ivory Coast international for a reported transfer fee of £6 million, but has since changed their minds when it comes to his future at the St. James' Park.
Tioté had also been linked to other CSL squads, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC and Beijing Guoan FC, who both allegedly offered him a £70,000 weekly wage after tax compensation, but negotiations stalled and then eventually fell through during the window.
The 5-foot-11 Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast native is said to have decided on an exit from Newcastle United, but the English club is keen on keeping him "to preserve their Premier League status". The Magpies are third from the bottom of the EPL overall standings with a 6-14-6 win-loss-draw record.
Tioté is expected to draw the attention of more Chinese clubs in the summer even as he turns 30 years old this June. By that time, he only has 12 months left in his contract and Newcastle must find a buyer or risk losing the Ivorian on a free transfer next year.
Meanwhile, Magpies head coach Steve McClaren is said to be dedicated to keeping his defensive midfielder despite the offers from the Far East.
"We didn't want him to leave," McClaren told reporters after his team's 1-0 victory over West Brom on Feb. 6th at their home field, via Chronicle Live. "He just shows what he brings. We threw him in because that's what we need."
"He fights on the field, he genuinely wants the ball, he never gives up, and he epitomizes what we want from this team," the manager added.
The Southern China Tigers are expected to make another bid for Tioté this summer as the club is keen on winning its sixth consecutive CSL trophy.
