Newcastle convince in-demand Tiote to commit to new long-term contract

The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international yesterday put pen to paper on a six-and-a-half-year deal just seven months after joining the club from Dutch side FC Twente.

Tiote’s superb form at St James’ Park has alerted a series of suitors and sparked speculation that Manchester United and Chelsea among others were preparing summer bids for him.

The fact that striker Andy Carroll left Tyneside last month in a £35m switch to Liverpool a little more than three months after signing a new five-year deal will not be lost on the club’s fans, and the news that Jose Enrique and Joey Barton have put their own contract talks on hold until the end of the season remains a concern.

However, Pardew, who also tied up assistant John Carver on a five-and-a-half-year contract, is confident securing Tiote’s future represents a firm statement of intent from owner Mike Ashley and the latest phase of his blueprint for lasting success.

He said: “Negotiations are very, very difficult at this level of football, and I think the signing of Cheick underpins the message Mike wants to give, that we can build a young team here which can go forward and take the club forward.

“Cheick is a big part of that and after the disappointment of Andy leaving, it’s a very good statement.

“Hopefully, we can now build on his signing with others.

Tiote and his team-mates will look to build upon a run of eight Barclays Premier League games which has brought just one defeat when they head into battle with Bolton today. The Magpies were trounced 5-1 at Bolton.