Arsenal weigh up £9m Cheick Tiote swoop?

Arsenal are reportedly considering a £9m move for Newcastle United ace Cheick Tiote this month.

The Gunners are widely believed to be in the market for a defensive midfielder after captain Mikel Arteta was ruled out for a further six weeks recently.

Mathieu Flamini, 30, and 23-year-old Francis Coquelin have deputised for the Spaniard since November, with the latter thought to be on the verge of earning a new contract.

However, manager Arsene Wenger is still keen to bolster his options and is weighing up a bid for the Magpies stalwart, according to the Daily Star.

The report goes on to claim that Tiote's personal terms would include an £80,000-a-week deal along with a three-and-a-half-year contract.

The Ivory Coast international, whose existing Magpies deal expires in 2017, has made 12 appearances for Newcastle so far this season.