Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote closing in on Shanghai Shenhua switch

Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren has confirmed that Cheick Tiote is closing in on a move to Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua.

McClaren told reporters at his press conference today that the Ivorian midfielder, who started Tuesday night's 3-3 draw with Manchester United, had flown out to discuss the switch.

"There's an approach from a Chinese team and Cheick is currently on his way to meet them," McClaren said.

"There's no agreement, nothing has been finalised, nothing has been agreed, the player is just going out there to have a chat with them and see how that ends up."

Tiote, whose contract at Newcastle still has 18 months to run, has made 129 Premier League appearances for the Magpies since joining them from Twente in August 2010.

It appears that he will be allowed to leave after the recent arrivals of Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet, who McClaren said might both start against West Ham United tomorrow.