Chelsea planning bid for Cheick Tiote

Chelsea are preparing to submit a £20m offer for Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote in the January transfer window, according to The Mirror.

Blues manager Andre Villas-Boas is said to be keen on adding the combative midfielder to his squad, with doubts surrounding Michael Essien's fitness.

Alan Pardew will fight hard to keep a player that Newcastle paid just £3.5m for from FC Twente in 2010.

Chelsea reportedly made an offer for Tiote during the summer transfer window.