Pictured: Newcastle set for deal as international spotted at airport

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Published on:

28 Aug 2016, 5:36 pm

By Tom Blackburn

Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote appears set to join Turkish clubs Galatasaray after arriving at Instanbul airport.

The fringe player has been linked with a move away from Newcastle, and the photo of him at the airport appears to confirm his time is up.

The Chronicle's chief sports writer Lee Ryder claimed on his personal Twitter account on Sunday afternoon that the 30-year-old has a number of offers on the table, including one from Galatasaray.

Ryder believes that the long-serving central midfielder "looks likely to go" by Wednesday's transfer cut-off.

Reports in Turkey of Tiote to #Galatasaray accurate but he has more than one offer. Looks likely to go.
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) August 28, 2016

The Mail reported on their live transfer blog on Thursday (2:21pm), that Tiote had interest from Premier League duo Hull City and Burnley, alongside Greek giants Olympiacos, but it appears Galatasaray have won the race.

Tiote has been expected to leave St. James' Park throughout the window following Newcastle's relegation from the top flight.

UAE newspaper The National had claimed earlier this month that Arabian Gulf League side Al Jazira tabled an initial bid of around £800,000. The bid was rejected by Newcastle.

The former FC Twente holding midfielder has just 12 months remaining on his St. James’ Park deal, after signing with the north-east outfit in 2010 for £3.5million.

Tiote has been with the Toon since 2010 and has made over 150 appearances for the club, but struggled for consistency and fitness since sustaining a serious knee injury in February 2015.

He will probably be best remembered for that Premier League equaliser against Arsenal in 2011 to make it 4-4 in the 87th minute, which remains his only ever goal for the Magpies.

In other Newcastle transfer news, their striker target seals deal.

Newcastle United

Cheick Tioté