Reports linking Ivory Coast midfielder Cheik Tiote to Chelsea when the transfer window reopens should prompt Michael Essien to sit up.
He has always been linked with Manchester United as a replacement for Paul Scholes.
Toite has been a huge hit on Tyneside this season since arriving from FC Twente for £3.5m last summer and his performances have attracted the attentions of the Premier League’s big boys.
While his sensational volley against Arsenal on Saturday that brought the scores level at 4-4 has seen him become a household name, it is his all round qualities that have seen him win so many admirers.
With Michael Essien failing to reproduce the form this season that made him such an irrepressible force, Chelsea are looking at Tiote to be the muscle in their midfield from next season.
However, they will face competition from United who are keen to add a ball-winner to their team and having missed out on Essien they will be doubly determined not to see Chelsea acquire another one of their targets.
The bidding is expected to start at £15m but if the 24-year-old keeps producing such impressive displays that price could rise significantly.