Source: Daily_Mail
Hatem Ben Arfa prepares to jet into Newcastle after Marseille reveal deal is close
Not Arfa bad: The France playmaker is expected to fly into Newcastle this weekend to complete a move[LNB]Newcastle's on-going battle with Marseille over the signing of Hatem Ben Arfa looks finally to have been won with the Ligue 1 champions admitting a deal is close. [LNB]The Toon have been tracking the talented 23-year-old playmaker for almost a month but stalled over a clause in a potential loan deal.[LNB]Chelsea's Champions League opponents Marseille would rather be rid of the player, who joined them two years ago as one of French football's brightest prospects. [LNB]However Ben Arfa's stock plummeted and his relationship with manager Didier Deschamps became untenable after he refused to train in a bid to force through a move.[LNB]German side Werder Bremen were believed to be leading the chase after making a substantial cash offer, but Newcastle's loan approach, with a view to making the move permanent, appears to have won out.[LNB]Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier said: 'He will travel to Newcastle tomorrow. They have offered to raise the price for the option-to-buy if Hatem plays 25 matches and also pay the five per cent of the cost to FIFA.[LNB]'We will respond. After that it's up to Hatem to agree a deal. We have to finish this story as soon as possible.'[LNB]Liverpool have also expressed an interest in Ben Arfa, who scored on his return to the national team earlier this month.[LNB] Bremen use £6.6m of Ozil funds to hijack Newcastle swoop for Ben ArfaLiverpool eye Ben Arfa and Diarra as Barcelona move in for MascheranoNewcastle boss Hughton backs Carroll to shine after Old Trafford baptismMarseille dig their heels in over Ben Arfa's protracted move to NewcastleNEWCASTLE UNITED FC
