Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Toite is currently on the crosshairs of Chinese football club Beijing Guoan. The Chinese club is reportedly negotiating with Toite's current club for a transfer deal.

The 29-year-old midfielder has been on the prospect list of several international clubs over the past few seasons but he has chosen to stay at Newcastle United.

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Beijing Guoan is the latest to join the foray of suitors willing to put anything on the table in order to persuade Toite to switch clubs. The club is the fierce rival of Shanghai Shenhua which prominent footballer Nicolas Anelka once played for. Guoan finished fourth last season on the Chinese Super League table and the club is eager to upgrade its roster.

Chinese footballs clubs are showing great interest in English Premier League players. Analysts believe that should this trend continue, it will no doubt hike up the commercial value of prominent football stars like Wayne Rooney and John Terry - both have been approached by Chinese clubs in the past.

Newcastle United currently values Toite at around £8 million. Guoan is planning to pay a lesser transfer fee, but promises to offer a handsome salary of around £3.5 million a year after tax, a figure of about £67,000 a week.

Toite still has 18 months left on his contract with Newcastle United and the club is looking forward to keeping the midfielder, at least until the summer. IfNewcastle's Premier League ranking continues to look dim, Toite might be persuaded to change kits should the two clubs agree on a transfer fee.

On the other hand, Newcastle is also looking to add players like Loic Remy and Sam Byram to its rosters. Should the club decide to clear Toite's salary, it will greatly affect which player Newcastle will add into its team.

TagsFootball, Football Transfer, football transfer rumor, transfer rumor