Arsenal are planning a £15 million bid for Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote. The Sunday Mirror says Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will make an ambitious bid this week to sign midfielder Tiote.

But the Gunners boss faces a huge battle to convince ­Newcastle United to sell.

Chelsea and Manchester City have previously been quoted over £20million for Tiote and remain ­interested, but Wenger will test the water with a bid of around £15m.

Tiote earns £40,000-a-week and Wenger would offer the 26-year-old a healthy pay rise.

It is understood Tiote is aware of Arsenal's ­interest and believes the London club will make a firm offer for him once today's game against Stoke is out of the way.