Galatasaray are targeting a move for Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote according to Turkish sports newspaper Fanatik.

Per the source, the Lions are still searching for alternatives for Lucas Leiva who was on the verge of a move from Liverpool until talks broke down last minute.

Lions sporting director Levent Nazifoglu confirmed that the club would be seeking alternatives and Tiote is reported to be on the shortlist.

Newcastle could be tempted into letting Tiote leave for the right fee as he is unsettled and was not picked for the first two games.

The Lions could however, face competition from Al-Jazira and Watford although neither side has been able to broker a deal as of yet.

Tiote does have years of experience at Newcastle making 153 appearances for the Magpies – although all his games for the club were in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old joined Newcastle from Twente on a £3.64 million move in 2010 and has just another year remanning on his current contract.

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