Tiote, 30, is eager to leave after relegation from the Premier League last season. The Pride of Abu Dhabi believe the Ivory Coast defensive midfielder can add steel to a side which possessed the third-worst defensive record as they finished a disappointing seventh in the Arabian Gulf League, despite an improvement under mid-season appointment Henk ten Cate.

The August 2010 signing from the Netherlands’ FC Twente has only one year left on his contract, creating a high probability of a sale.

Interest exists from elsewhere in the English top flight, while a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray broke down in recent weeks.

Tiote did not travel with his team-mates for a friendly against Southend United on Tuesday, sparking reports that an exit was imminent. Links to the player from Jazira had originally appeared in the British press during June.

Coach Ten Cate’s men are currently formulating plans for next term. The club’s hierarchy are keen to make some high-profile recruits, this desire coming from the fact champions Al Ahli and runners-up Al Ain appear unlikely at this moment to significantly strengthen.

At least two spots look set to open in their four-player foreign quota, with Peru forward Jefferson Farfan, Spanish playmaker Angel Lafita and Brazil attacking midfielder Thiago Neves all told they are up for sale. Montenegro marksman Mirko Vucinic and South Korea centre midfielder Park Jong-woo should be retained, although the rumoured pursuit of Tiote could put the latter at risk.

The Ivorian destroyer made 20 top-flight appearances last season as Newcastle dropped into the Championship. He has scored once during 153 games in all competitions, also collecting 58 bookings and two sendings off.

Tiote has flirted with a transfer to Asia before, being linked strongly with Shanghai Shenhua last summer. If the player fully intends to switch continents, Jazira should have a free run at him after the Chinese Super League’s transfer window closed last week.

Jazira are one of three AGL clubs yet to make a foreign signing this summer, but they have been active domestically. An arrangement with Al Ain to return veteran midfielder Ibrahim Diaky to them and bring in UAE right-back Mohammed Fawzi will soon be announced, while Salem Abdulla from Al Wasl and Humaid Ahmed from Fujairah have also arrived.