Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has admitted that he was delighted to keep Cheick Tiote at the club this summer, despite the transfer speculation unsettling the midfielder.
The 28-year-old was linked with a move to Lokomotiv Moscow, but the Russian side failed to lodge an acceptable bid for the Ivory Coast international's services.
Pardew feels that the midfielder has all the attributes needed to play at a high level in the Premier League, which made the 53-year-old unwilling to sell one of his key players.
When asked if the transfer speculation had unsettled Tiote, Pardew told reporters: "Yes, for sure. We obviously had a team fighting for his services, but the finance was never really in place.
"I think his contract situation needs to be resolved at the end of the season, for sure.
"I love him. He's everything that you want in a Newcastle player. He has the quality, and of course you'll never underestimate the fact that he wants to win."
Newcastle face Stoke City in their Premier League clash later today.
Simon Sinclair
