Napoli want Newcastle midfielder for £12m – but Magpies won’t settle for less than 16

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Rafa Benitez’s side reportedly want to sign Cheick Tiote.

Napoli want to prise Cheick Tiote away from Newcastle United in January, according to the Sunday Mirror.

Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez reportedly wants to bring the Ivorian to Italy in a bid to strengthen his midfield.

The Magpies, however, are not willing to sell for anything under their £16 million asking price.

Serie A side Napoli, according to the report, want to pay £12m.

But the Italians are said to be confident of tempting Tiote with an £80,000-a-week wage package, which would almost double his current earnings of £45,000 per week.

Opta stats show why Newcastle would be wise to keep the 28-year-old at St James’ Park, despite the midfielder only making four Premier League appearances so far this term.

Injury kept Tiote out of the side in the early stages of the campaign and he has averaged more tackles and interceptions won per game than anyone else in the Magpies squad.

Only Mehdi Abeid has matched him in the tackling department – but in just one game. In terms of accurate passes per game, meanwhile, the Ivorian again shines.