By Tom Blackburn
Newcastle have received a loan bid from French side Lorient for midfielder Cheick Tiote, according to a reliable journalist.
It has been a busy week for the midfielder, 30, who was set to move to Galatasaray before reportedly failing a medical, and has since been scrambling to find a new club before the transfer deadline.
Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder claimed on his personal Twitter account that the Ivory Coast international is wanted by Lorient, but they would have to pay virtually all the wages left on his contract as it only has 10 months to run.
Loan bid from Lorient for Tiote now. But Tiote only has 10 months left of his deal so they'd have to pay virtually all of his wages #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) August 31, 2016
Tiote will be hoping that a deal can be struck before the 11pm deadline, although there are other options. It is said that Burnley, Russia giants Anzhi Makhachkala and Greek champions Olympiakos are all still interested in the combative midfielder.
The Daily Mail claimed on Wednesday that the Russian side are willing to pay £1.8million to secure the services of the 30-year-old.
Tiote signed for the Magpies in 2010 and has been a key player in the past, but is set to leave the Toon with the permission of boss Rafa Benitez.
Tiote has made over 150 appearances for the club, but struggled for consistency and fitness since sustaining a serious knee injury in February 2015.
He is down the pecking order at St James Park now, with Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey and Jack Colback being preferred in recent weeks.
In other Newcastle transfer news, they are offered a cash-plus-player exchange for Moussa Sissoko.
