Arsenal transfer news: Gunners weighing up move for Newcastle outcast Chieck Tiote

Cheick Tioté’s future at Newcastle is in serious doubt with the player considering a move away from St James’ Park.

Arsenal and Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow have shown interest in the powerful midfielder, who is available for around £8m. Newcastle signed midfielder Jack Colback from rivals Sunderland during the close season, casting doubt on the 28-year-old Tioté’s future.

The Ivory Coast international has barely featured for the club in pre-season, starting only one game, against Sheffield Wednesday. Tioté (right) is one of Newcastle’s highest paid players and the club are ready to sell with a glut of central midfielders. The player did not join Newcastle in the club’s pre-season trip to New Zealand.

Manager Alan Pardew remains a fan but is aware his squad needs trimming after a heavy summer of investment in which nine players arrived at St James’ Park. Newcastle also want buyers for Hatem Ben Arfa, Jonas Gutierrez and Papiss Cissé once he recovers from his knee injury.Elsewhere, Hull City manager Steve Bruce has approached Newcastle about full-back Paul Dummett. Bruce is ready to pay more than £1m to add the 22-year-old to his squad for the Europa League.

Dummett broke through into the Newcastle first team in 2013 and became a regular last season, scoring against Liverpool. Manager Pardew, who gave the left-back his break, does not want to lose the defender. French youngster Massadio Haïdara has been first choice in pre-season and Davide Santon will be back from injury in October.

Hull have been a major player in the summer transfer market, signing six new players and reaching the group stage of the Europa League on Thursday after seeing off AS Trencin. Former Newcastle striker Nile Ranger yesterday signed a one-year deal at Championship club Blackpool.

Fernandez: ciao for now

Federico Fernandez has said an emotional goodbye to Napoli fans ahead of his expected £7m transfer to Swansea City. The Argentine centre-back wrote on his Twitter account: “Ciao Napoli. Yes ciao, because it is not goodbye forever! It cannot be, because it is difficult to stay away from a city like this.” The 25-year-old, who has won 26 international caps for Argentina, added: “A thank you from the heart to this magnificent city, to all its warm inhabitants, its magnificent fans. Thank you to everyone.” Fernandez moved to the Serie A side in 2011 from Estudiantes.

Reds on brink of Romero

Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero. The Reds approached the Argentina international last week, and are expected to tie up a £1.6m deal for the player imminently. He will provide back-up to Simon Mignolet. Romero started in the World Cup final in July, which Argentina lost 1-0 to Germany after Mario Götze’s 113th-minute strike at the Maracana. The 27-year-old spent last season on loan at Ligue 1 side Monaco, but made only three league appearances for the French team.