Tiote’s contract with the Magpies expires in 2017, but the midfielder has been linked with a number of Europe’s biggest clubs after having impressed for the North East club this season.
Llambias said: “We’ll be losing one or two names this summer, but that’ll be regenerated back into the squad.
“For instance, Tiote has been with us a year and a half. He is out there. People know he’s a good player.
“He’s proven in the Premier League, he’s not picking up as many yellow cards, he’s learning.
“How are we going to stop a big club from coming in for him? It’ll be very hard.”
Derek Llambias Quotes of the week
“How are we going to stop a big club from coming in for him? It’ll be very hard.
“One thing in our favour is that we now have a very good side and that might encourage the player to stay.
“But if someone knocks on the door and says they want this or that money, the reality may be that we have to trade.”
