The 25-year-old Ivory Coast international has been linked with Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham in recent weeks, and Ashley has already told Alan Pardew "every player has his price".
Cheick Tiote: "People can say whatever they want to say about me, but I'm a professional footballer and I play for Newcastle.
"I'm not thinking of leaving in January - I'm very happy playing for this club.
"That's my job and I need to work hard for the team and the club. I have to focus on my job for Newcastle - that's what I have to do."
Those words may prove some comfort to Pardew, who knows any decision might not be his to make if an acceptable offer was forthcoming.
He spent most of last January insisting striker Andy Carroll was not for sale, only to see him head through the exit door for Liverpool after the Reds tabled a monster £35million bid on the final day of the window.