Arsenal target Cheick Tiote reveals he wants to leave Newcastle

Tiote though tried to assure fans he would stay focused on games at Newcastle.

He said: “I will focus on upcoming games and let’s see what happens between now and December.”

Tiote also admitted that a Russian club were interested in signing him.

He said: "It is true there were contacts for me from Arsenal and a club in Russia. I’d prefer to stay in England."

Alan Pardew  had also expressed concerns that Tiote - who he appointed as vice-captain this summer - was unsettled.

But he had spoken about the prospect of a new deal.

Pardew said: “You need big players like Cheick and Colo at this club and it’s important for their stature to underline that fact at times."