Newcastle United are looking to offload some of their expensive under-performers this summer - and they could have a potential suitor for two players they are looking to move on. Both Papiss Cisse and Cheick Tiote are wanted by Turkish side Trabzonspor, who are reportedly willing to pay a combined £14 million for their services. Trabzonspor officials have already held preliminary discussions with Tiotes representatives about a move this summer and now they are looking to bring Cisse to the club, according to Turkish broadcaster Lig TV. Newcastle are aiming to improve their forward lineup this summer but are looking to offload Cisse - and have reportedly turned down offers for the Senegalese striker already. The Magpies want £10 million for a striker who has just celebrated his 30th birthday earlier and who struggled with a knee injury throughout the 2014-15 season. Despite the injury, Cisse was Newcastles top scorer last season as he netted an impressive 11 goals in just 22 Premier League appearances. Although free agent Stephane Mbia was Trabzonspors first choice as a defensive-midfield recruit this summer, they have been put off by his inflated wage demands. Instead, the Turkish club have reportedly approached Tiote about moving from one side of Europe to the other this summer. The 29-year-old Ivorian has been consistently linked with a move to Turkey or Russia in recent seasons as he has gradually fallen down the pecking order at St James Park. A £3.5 million recruit from FC Twente in 2010, Tiote formed a formidable central-midfield partnership with Yohan Cabaye during his first two seasons at Newcastle but he has struggled to reach such heights since. Interestingly, despite widespread reports last season that Tiote would leave the North East this summer, Steve McClarens arrival as head coach was expected to prolong the 48-cap Ivory Coast internationals Magpies career. Tiote was part of McClarens Eredivisie-winning side at Twente, but it appears as if the new Newcastle boss is willing to let the ageing defensive-midfielder move on. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
