Manchester City are considering a move for Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote.
Manchester United and Chelsea have both been linked with £25m bids for the 25-year-old.
Blues boss Roberto Mancini has sent a scout to watch Tiote play alongside City midfielder Yaya Toure for the Ivory Coast in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
Newcastle paid Dutch club FC Twente £3.5m for Tiote in August 2010.