Newcastle edge closer to Hatem Ben Arfa capture as Marseille winger left out of weekend squad
By Colin Young
Last updated at 12:09 AM on 14th August 2010
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Newcastle expect to sign Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa after his latest bust-up with boss Didier Deschamps.
The 23-year-old was left out of Marseille’s squad to face Valenciennes on Saturday after refusing to train and demanding that he be allowed to talk to Newcastle.
The France international did not train at Marseille on Thursday and still wants to join Newcastle on loan, despite other interest from Benfica, Hoffenheim and Genoa.
Hatem Ben Arfa
No joke:: France international Hatem Ben Arfa has heart set on Newcastle move
His agent Frederic Guerra said: ‘Hatem will go to Newcastle. The relations between him and Deschamps have reached the point of no return.
'All we want is for the Marseille directors to step back a bit and engineer the way to let him go there. Back in July Deschamps told us to find a new club and we have done it.’
Angry Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier said: 'Hatem is part of the workfroce and he will remain so. I do not think the coach (of Newcastle) is in-step with his leaders, if you believe his statements on Sky. It is quite strange. There is not a serious and solid offer from Newcastle.'
According to a report on the website of respected French newspaper L'Equipe, Ben Arfa failed to attend a scheduled meeting with coach Didier Deschamps on Friday morning.
Read more:
Hatem Ben Arfa goes on strike in bid to force move to Newcastle | Mail Online
