THE domestic transfer window might have closed, but Newcastle United outcast Cheick Tiote is examining the possibility of a permanent move to Qatar before the end of the month.

Tiote has been told he does not figure in Rafael Benitez’s plans on Tyneside, but a series of potential transfers broke down in the final week of the European transfer window.

A proposed switch to Turkish side Galatasaray collapsed amid suggestions Tiote had failed a medical, before interest from Olympiacos, Lorient, Anzhi Makhachkala and an unnamed Spanish club came to nothing on Wednesday night.

As a result, Tiote finds himself in limbo with nine months of his current contract remaining, but there is still a chance he could secure himself a move away from St James’ Park.

The Qatari transfer window does not close until September 22, and Tiote’s representatives have been sounding out the possibility of the midfielder moving to either Al Ahli or Al Sadd, the two leading clubs in the Qatar Stars League.

Newcastle officials would be willing to sanction Tiote’s departure to either club as Benitez remains extremely reluctant to reintegrate the Ivory Coast international into the first-team group at St James’ Park.

The Magpies manager can call on Isaac Hayden, Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Colback and Mohamed Diame in Tiote’s preferred central-midfield position, and Benitez does not see the need for further competition in that part of the field.

The Newcastle boss made 12 signings during the summer transfer window, and one of the players to arrive, DeAndre Yedlin, has denied turning down Sunderland in order to move to Tyneside.

Yedlin, who made a £5m switch from Tottenham, spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light, and Sam Allardyce discussed the possibility of making a permanent move for the American earlier this year.

However, Allardyce’s successor, David Moyes, opted to look elsewhere, signing right-back duo Donald Love and Javier Manquillo, and Yedlin was delighted to get the opportunity to return to the North-East by signing for Newcastle.

“There were talks (with Sunderland), but it never really got to that final stage,” said the United States international. “That wasn’t really an option and when Newcastle became involved I took that opportunity. It was never a choice between the clubs.

“When I was up here last year with Sunderland, I really enjoyed the area. They (Newcastle) came forward and put a bid in, and I thought it would be a good opportunity for me to get back up to the North.

“It’s a massive club and Rafa Benitez speaks for himself. He’s an unbelievable manager with a great resume, so there were really no cons to it.”

The only negative was the requirement to drop into the Championship, but having been unable to force his way into the first-team picture at Spurs, Yedlin was willing to step out of the top-flight in order to further his career.

“That came into the equation,” he said. “But it’s still a good opportunity, and I think this team definitely has the talent to be able to go up this year. I’m obviously hoping we do, but we have to take it game by game.”

Yedlin made his Newcastle debut as a late substitute in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Brighton, but while he was introduced on the right of midfield, a position he has filled at both domestic and international level, he sees himself first and foremost as a defender.

“I’m definitely a defender now,” he said. “Defensively, I’ve improved a lot over the last year, and I’m looking to bring those improvements into this team.

“When I played this summer (at the Copa America), I think people saw improvements in my defending, my positioning and things like that. I think people were impressed.”