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Arsenal are preparing an £8m bid for Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote.

Arsene Wenger has reportedly turned his attention to landing the tough-tackling former FC Twente player after previously chasing top targets Sami Khedira and William Carvalho.

The 28-year-old Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move to the Emirates in the past, but Newcastle are believed to be ready to do business this time.

If the player moves to Arsenal he would follow former Newcastle team mate Mathieu Debuchy to north London. Tiote is reported to be keen to join the Gunners.

Wenger also wants to bolster his squad with Greek defender Kostas Manolas.

The Arsenal boss has made the Olympiacos centre half his first choice to replace Thomas Vermaelen after the Belgian’s £15m switch to Barcelona.

Manolas, 23, has been a target for Everton, Sunderland and Tottenham as well as several clubs in Italy but the Gunners are hoping to do a deal before the start of the season.