Arsenal to bid for Cheick Tiote?

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is reportedly weighing up a surprise bid for Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote.

The Gunners sold Alex Song to Barcelona for £15m earlier this week and and are apparently preparing to use the money towards recruiting the Ivory Coast international.

Tiote has established himself as one of the finest holding midfielders in the Premier League following his switch from Dutch side FC Twente in 2010, and Wenger is hoping to lure the Ivorian to the Emirates with the promise of Champions League football.

The 26-year-old scored a dramatic equaliser in a 4-4 draw with Arsenal at St James' Park in 2011.