Newcastle fight to keep Papiss Cisse
Newcastle will fight tooth and nail to hang on to top scorer Papiss Cisse despite interest from several top Russian clubs.
Mega-rich Anzhi Makhachkala, who are set to appoint Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos as Gus Hiddink's successor, want to sign the striker who knocked them out of the Europa League with a stoppage time winner at St James' Park last season.
They are not alone in showing an interest in the Senegal international, who joined Newcastle from Bundesliga side Freiburg in a £9m deal over two years ago.
Anzhi, who include Samuel Eto'o in their ranks, are ready to pay £15m for the African and double his wages.
But Newcastle chief Alan Pardew wants to keep Cisse and sign two strikers to complement him.
West Brom forward Shane Long and St Etienne hitman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are both on his shopping list.
Newcastle are also weighing up a move for Derby's teenage ace Will Hughes.
Harden Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been monitoring the 18-year-old midfielder who had a stunning debut season at Pride Park.
If Newcastle do harden their interest and win the race for his signature, they could be willing to loan the England Under-21 international back to Derby next term.
After last term's brush with relegation, Toon owner Mike Ashley has promised to back Pardew in the transfer market.
However, Russian interest in Cisse, 27, will concern the Newcastle boss.
Russian agent Nickolay Guido said: "I don't want to name names but a lot of clubs here have shown an interest in Cisse."
The striker made a great start to his Toon career, with 13 goals in 14 games.
But he struggled to rediscover that form last season, scoring four times in the Europa League and just eight times in the league.
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