Newcastle admit that Chelsea could snare Cheik Tiote

The Newcastle midfielder Cheik Tiote has made a massive impression on the Premier League this season and he has been closely linked with a move to Stamford Bridge since the summer.

Now that Andre Villas-Boas has given up on bringing in Luka Modric from Tottenham, could the Blues intend to move on to Tiote as the player to tighten up Chelsea’s loose midfield for the rest of the season.

The Newcastle boss Alan Pardew seems to think that Chelsea could force the Toon to sell their star player, but only if the offer is just too good to turn down. He said: “You never know with the window — it’s such a minefield of possibilities. I think I’ve learned from the Andy Carroll situation and outside of Manchester City, every club has a player that is vulnerable.

“We have one or two players here that top clubs, I’m sure, would be interested in.

“The one thing I would say is that they will have to pay a lot of money to take anyone out of here because we’re in a good position — not just on the playing side but financially.

“Cheik is a big target because he’s a great player and great players will be targeted.

“We value him very highly here and I think, on my part, I expect him to stay.

“But that does not mean to say something might not come out of the fire.

“If he did go, it would have to be for a silly price.”

Do Chelsea need another strong midfielder like Tiote now that Frank Lampard is getting close to his sell-by date?