Chelsea are ready to trump Manchester United for Cheick Tiote while Sir Alex Ferguson is on holiday. The Daily Mail says Ferguson has left for his annual break in the south of France and will wait while considering other options for rebuilding the squad that was second best to Manchester City in the title race.

However, his stance leaves the way clear for other clubs and Chelsea are poised to step in for Tiote. Roman Abramovich, encouraged by his club's Champions League victory, is willing to pay £20m for the combative Ivorian as he looks to build on their Munich success.

Newcastle United would make a profit of £16.5m on midfielder Tiote if the deal went through.