Arsenal Transfer News: Cheick Tiote £15 Million Bid To Replace Alex Song?

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will make an ambitious attempt to sign Newcastle United's midfield enforcer Cheick Tiote this week, according to a report in The Sunday Mirror.

They say that Wenger will make a raid for the Ivory Coast international before the summer transfer window shuts at 11pm this Friday but face a tough task on their hands to convince The Magpies to sell their star midfielder. The Mirror claims that Tiote has jumped ahead of Rennes star Yann M'Vila as Arsenal's top midfield target and that the veteran French manager will "test the water" with a bid of around £15 million this week. That's the same price that The Gunners sold their previous midfield enforcer Alex Song to Barcelona this month. The Gunners know that Newcastle are desperate to keep hold of their tough-tackling 26-year-old and The Mirror claim that both Chelsea and Manchester City have been quoted over £20 million when they have enquired about taking him away from St. James' Park. The Mirror say both clubs are still interested, but Wenger hopes to swoop in and offer Tiote a healthy pay rise on his £40,000-a-week contract that could convince him to switch to the Emirates. The Mirror goes on to claim that Tiote is fully aware of Arsenal's interest in acquiring him and that a firm offer is expected once today's 1.30pm Premier League kick-off at Stoke is out of the way. Tiote missed his side's defeat at Chelsea yesterday evening with a calf injury and it remains to be seen if he will play in The Toon's Thursday night Europa League Fourth Round Qualifying Match against Atromitos.