Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is lining up targets for the summer transfer market, in an attempt to improve a Liverpool side that has under-performed in the Premier League in recent seasons, and it looks like Newcastle’s Ben Arfa is on their radar screen.
Ben Arfa after scoring penalty against Spurs in first game of the season
The news is on the Spanish web site fichajes.net, and it’s that the Reds are looking to bid £20M for the French international winger.
But we wonder how much an attraction Liverpool would be for the Newcastle winger, as Newcastle seem to be putting together a top squad for an assault on the top four next season, after finishing 5th top last season and being decimated by injuries to star players this season.
But that seems to have been put right last month as owner Mike Ashley sanctioned £18M to be spent on bringing in Massadio Haidara, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran and Mathieu Debuchy and they already have played very well for the Newcastle first team – and there are several real bargains in there.
And that’s £2M less than Liverpool are reported to be ready to pay for just one of Newcastle’s players – so let it be said that Newcastle have made some tremendous buys in the last couple of years – fact.
Newcastle lost Demba Ba in January through his release clause of £7M, but with Sissoko and Gouffran coming in and already having a great understanding with Papiss Cisse, that hasn’t hurt the Newcastle attack too much – thankfully.
And in four league games since the French five arrived we have scored 10 goals – that’s’ an average of 2.5 goals per game – not too bad – and much better than our overall goals per game average of 38 goals in 27 league games – an average of only 1.4 goals scored per game.
PSG are also thought to be keen on the 25 year-old, and it seems certain that we’ll get bids in this summer for the mercurial winger and also for one of our other French Internationals – Yohan Cabaye – who have both proved they are top Premier League players at the Magpies.
But both these Frenchmen love it at Newcastle, and it will not have hurt things that Newcastle have bolstered their squad with another 5 Frenchmen last month – doubling the number of players from France now in the squad.
And don’t be surprised if Newcastle offer both Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa improved long term contracts to stay on Tyneside this summer – and don’t be surprised if both players are happy sign them.
What do you think?
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150 comments so far
bzak12
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Comment #81Ibazatoon Talking of dances did you see Rebbeca doing the can can on Sunday. She certainly gets around!
WWYCD
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Comment #82Ibiza
I am very excited for the dance not gonna lie! And no u ur influence on kets has clearly dragged him down
JAMSHA
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Comment #83liverfool can have arfas shit for 21mil
WWYCD
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Comment #84Sage
We’ll see mate hes got his own mind on how things should be though and no matter how much he says he has matured time is the biggest tell on that. I dont think its out of the question him going to Liverpool but Id be surprised if they had the money to match our price tag
winnynufc
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Comment #85Now Fella’s,
I’m new to this site but ive been following it for ages!
As regard Benni going to Liverpool & Carroll coming the other way mmm dont think so!!!!! Why would he want to go they are a shadow off the team they where & living on past glories end of! I would rather have LUKAKU from Chelsea, if they sign another CF he is going to even more down the pecking order! Big, strong, quick knows where the goal is and only 19 or 20 & has experience of the PL no brainer for me HWTL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:05 PM
Comment #86bzak…Did I see it? Where do you think she learned those moves?
Yo…If I am being credited with Kets work all I have is an overwhelming feeling of pride!
Don’t get too excited about the dance, wouldn’t want you to build it up too much and be left disappointed. Funny, that’s similar to a chat up line of mine 🙂
sanchez
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Comment #87I think he’ll stay if we can nick 10th position or higher. Without a shadow of a doubt.
If Spurs don’t implode again I can see them, not Liverpool, trying to lure him away from us should the rest of our season go tits up.
WWYCD
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:08 PM
Comment #88Ibiza
So now ur using chat up lines on me? Think we are getting a little too comfortable here
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:10 PM
Comment #89Yo…I assure you there is nothing comfortable about my chat up lines or techniques. Anyway, I shall stop before Belfast accuses me of online grooming again.
Where is that tw@ these days? 🙂
Transfer Sage
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:13 PM
Comment #90I’m not overly worried. I think Ben arfa is very talented but of you look at his ability which is surely equal to that of hazard and mata his assists and goal to game ratio is way below theirs and more importantly way below what he is capable of.
He should easily getting at least 10 of each a season.
He might now we have better players around him but isn’t the god some people paint him to be.
We’d struggle to find somebody as stylish and entertaining but we could easily find somebody to match how effectiveness.
Hate saying that as I love the guy, amazing to watch but a perennial under achiever
WWYCD
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:21 PM
Comment #91Ibiza
Oh I can imagine u have stylish moves with the ladies of Ibiza. The only part of the ‘grooming’ comment that worries me is u said again :/
WWYCD
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:22 PM
Comment #92Sage
Wow mate u just stuck ur head on the block?! Thats my trick haha ur gonna get some grief for that
check the toastie
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:27 PM
Comment #93Lukaku is going to be one hell of a player, has everything the young lad, most of all the desire to be as good as he can be. Brilliant player for 19, why he hasnt been recalled to Chelski i will never know. Probaly dont want him poisoning by JT, Fat Frank and Cashley, Pricks.
Transfer Sage
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:29 PM
Comment #94wwycd
Yeh I know I will but I think it’s a fair comment.
I think ben arfa is amazing in terms of his ability to beat people and his balance, agility, acceleration etc.
I just find it off that a player with that much ability somehow has never set the world on fire. He should be like hazard at least, if not mata or pushing up to messi really.
Hazard had a season of 20+ goals in france, benny never got near this in his time there.
I think if he can get everything to together and get a long run in the side (full season) then he is capable of something truly special….just yet to see it consistently from him.
BOOM BOOM THE 1ST
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:30 PM
Comment #95Garbage story, who wouldnt want ben arfa if he were to leave us he will have far better offers than to go to that shower of clowns next story please.
santonthenewmaldini
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:36 PM
Comment #96@Mister Tuff
We will see though as he has not really had a serious team come in for him if Bayern, Barcelona or Real Madrid come in for Suarez we will see how loyal he really is to the Rodgers project
On another note thought Carroll looked quite decent against Spurs caused them plenty of trouble and showed some good touches on the ground would be an upgrade on Shola!!!
I don’t think we will sign that many big name players in the summer might be a centre back if Colo leaves and a striker in terms of the Purple brigade it will mostly be youngsters who are of a better quality than what we have I worry about us going into the Dutch league because there are a lot more teams who cherry pick that league and we may get outbid or players may prefer to go elsewhere just hope we have alternatives unlike last season
We have got to watch as well as if we are not in Europe next season we can’t justify lots of players sitting on the bench the likes of Anita and Marveux will probably not be happy with a bit part role next season but its up to them to step it up
sanchez
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:37 PM
Comment #97Transfer sage- sort of agree with you. I think that injuries haven’t helped his cause though and he himself is aware of that. Whenever he gets a run of games after injury he generally settles and performs with more consistency.
G
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:42 PM
Comment #98@96, yet Shola has one more goal this season than Carroll. Haven’t counted their goals / games ratio here like so that might not be fair, just saying.
Cape_Toon
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:47 PM
Comment #99Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa! another newcomer to this blog…
As for this article, I’m one of those rare NUFC supporters here in RSA surrounded by deluded Pool fans and bandwagon Man Utd fans. One big question I always ask Pool fans is why do they always label my beloved Newcastle United a “small club”? when their club just loves grabbing our players or looking at our targets?
Carryingcoals
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:49 PM
Comment #100We will need Benny back for the Anzhi games, it’s going to be tough.
I can see us progressing however (as hard as it will be).
I have a feeling it won’t quite be the end of the road for Newcastle in Europe though… http://www.carryingcoals.com/?p=504
WWYCD
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:50 PM
Comment #101Sage
I dont disagree with u, I think HBA is overrated by NUFC fans but he is a cracking player just not one of the best in the world… doesn’t mean others wont hammer u for that opinion
Mister Tuff
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:58 PM
Comment #102santon @96 agree with your first paragraph re Suarez -will the big clubs/money tempt him in the summer – seems money or big clubs with money might be a factor in view of him just signing an improved contract and already wanting further talks in June. without doubt he’s a decent player -but a bit of a rat/cheater. His presence at Liverpool is a bit like Bale at Spurs – both teams would be further down the league without them.
dembademba
Feb 27, 2013 at 3:59 PM
Comment #103He’s prob my favourite player and easily one of the most gifted lads around. However I think 25 mil is acceptable, maybe 20. I don’t think Liverpool would go that high though. I understand why they would want him and the idea of him n Suarez is pretty mental. But he’s young enough to give us a few more years, I think he wants to do that on the premise that we add just a bit more quality to the squad. Then we can push for top 6/top 4
Jail for Ashley
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:07 PM
Comment #104Ian Toon is a private cool dude,did I read that correctly,do we need further proof that push and Ian Toon are one and the same.
G
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:13 PM
Comment #105HBA is a strange one, people either over, or under rate him. TS’s comments are fair. I don’t think anybody who understands the game will give grief for them. I do think we will see more out of him with increased quality in the squad. I think it’s going to be make-or-break time in his career from this point on. Hopefully, the former.
Pardews Parsnip Bonce
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:14 PM
Comment #106@ts i made no comment about peoples jobs. being a hermit millionaire i have no time for such trivial matters
89Norcal
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:14 PM
Comment #107Kets,
I came in expecting you to say Hatem is better than Messi, have to say I’m disappointed.
Pardews Parsnip Bonce
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:20 PM
Comment #108@jfa a private cool dude would insinuate that publicly he’s very much less than cool though. maybe that wasn’t a compliment after all?
santonthenewmaldini
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:21 PM
Comment #109@G that is true Shola does have one more goal than Carroll that is all !!!But watching Carroll for West Ham that game they actually played it to him on the deck and he brought a lot of players into the game with neat lay offs and flick on’s he would certainly bring more effort to the table than Shola
I would not want him back but I think that Pardew will want to bring him back and maybe if we got him and a good winger who could cross we would have a lot more options as you would have Cisse, Gouffran, Carroll and Shola fighting for one striker slot which is quite decent depth
I personally would prefer us to get someone with serious pace up front like a PEA or Doumbia so teams could not play a high line for fear of getting caught out this would allow us to dominate teams
I do think us as Toon fans have overrated Arfa a little but lets see how he does with an improved team around him I think he will finally fulfill his potential with us especially if we can get through this round of the Europa he can be the difference if he is fit and on form just hope we dont rush him back and he gets injured again 2 sub appearances in the next 2 games and then starting against Anzhi at home
Super Magpie
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:23 PM
Comment #110😆 😆 😆
As if Ben Arfa will go there
Pardews Parsnip Bonce
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:25 PM
Comment #111@108 he would certainly bring a different more physical dimension to the front line. plus imagine cisse playing off nice little lay offs…
saxonfenken
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:34 PM
Comment #112Transfer Sage
I Agree with you about Benny, if he could use his undoubted ability to goal and assists instead of beating three players, before running into a dead ends. Mind he certainly is exciting to watch though
Mister Tuff
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:35 PM
Comment #113Jail @103 -I spotted the offending post as well, I’ll copy it again for clarity:-
Pushy Pardew // Feb 27, 2013 at 2:43 PM
@65
TS
“Hi matey. I have noted that your a
curious sort of fella. Always asking
what people do! Like Ian Toon who
clearly is a private cool dude just like
my recently acquired business
partner Ibiza. I think you should
judge on the quality of the input.
Ibiza is well educated and thinks on
his feet.”
Ian -please stop posting under a different name . Your posts using your original name were fine, readable and informative (apart from your love in with Percy).
Seeking false support from your fake alter egos’ is
indicative of a great sense of insecurity -which could indeed be the initial indications that you may be suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder. This is a condition which is eminently treatable -under the NHS. via your GP. Please get help.
toonbrother
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Comment #114I’ll take Carroll plus 20million to be honest
toonbrother
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:39 PM
Comment #115Caroll + 20 Million = Ben arfa. Case closed
G
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:44 PM
Comment #116toonbrother, I wouldn’t personnaly. I would hold out for cold hard cash, and at a much higher rate that we sold AC for, but that’s just me.
Magpies-till-d3ath
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:48 PM
Comment #117Carroll plus £20million fir Ben Arfa!!!!! WHAT!!!!!!????? P*SS RIGHT OFF YOU PIECES OF SH*T! That’s like frigging £2.5 million in total!!!! If we sell Ben Arfa to them scumbags, I will officially be done with the club!!! He’s undoubtedly an amazing footballer, and one of the best technical players in the league! Had he have been mature when he was younger, he could have been world beater! (Yeah, I rate him that highly).
Joe Blog
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:49 PM
Comment #118Is Ruddy still around, with his insurance small print style?
toonbrother
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:55 PM
Comment #119@116
RE:Carroll plus £20million fir Ben Arfa!!!!! That’s like frigging £2.5 million ?
According to your math Carroll is worth
£minus 17.5. how does that make sense on your planet?
Novocastrian66
Feb 27, 2013 at 4:56 PM
Comment #120Both Carroll and Ben Arfa would have to prove their fitness over a prolonged period of time before a deal could be done. This would only be achieved by both players playing regularly between now and the end of the season. Not sure if this will happen.
I would also suggest that if Joe Allen is £15m, then Ben Arfa is worth £30m.