Galatasaray have set their sights on Newcastle United’s midfielder Cheick Tiote according to the Chronicle newspaper.

The Newcastle based daily paper states that Galatasaray have expressed an interest in signing the 29-year-old during the January transfer window.

Tiote has made eight appearances for Newcastle this season after recovering from a knee injury sustained at this year’s African Cup of Nations.

The Ivory Coast international has 18 months remaining on his contract and has lost his place in the Toon’s starting line-up.

Galatasaray signed Lukas Podolski from the Premier League in over the Summer while Luis Nani and Robin van Persi have also made the move from England to Istanbul.

“I don’t know, because for the moment, we need to try to focus on being higher in the table,” Tiote said when asked about his future.

“We have been at the bottom for a long time. We need to do everything to look forward. We need to work every day in training and try to win some games.”

Newcastle currently sit in 15th place in the Premier League with 16 points in 16 games. The Toon’s take on Aston Villa next weekend.

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