Tuesday 31 January 2017 14:07, UK
Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote has agreed a move to a club in Shanghai or Beijing on a two-year deal, according to Sky sources.
Manager Rafa Benitez said on Tuesday lunchtime, ahead of Wednesday's home game with QPR, live on Sky Sports 1HD, that Tiote was in talks with a team in China and that he was confident a deal would be completed.
Sky sources understand the deal has already been wrapped with the unnamed side.
The 30-year-old Ivorian visited China a year ago, only for the proposed move to Shanghai Shenhua fall through.
He has made just three appearances in all competitions this season and is yet to start a Championship game for the Magpies. His last appearance was in the 3-1 FA Cup win over Birmingham on January 18.
Tiote joined Newcastle in 2010 from Dutch side FC Twente, where he had previously won the Eredivisie title under the management of Steve McClaren.
