It appears that Newcastle United are keen to sign French star Hatem Ben Arfa on a permanent basis.
Ben Arfa – took to Tyneside like a duck to water
There was a report in the News of the World that said Chris Hughton and other Newcastle officials had already seen enough of Ben Arfa’s skills, both in training and in games, to make his permanent transfer a good deal for the Tyneside club.
There was news before Ben Arfa arrived at Newcastle, that he was a difficult player to handle, but we saw none of that with Ben Arfa in short time at Newcastle, and he seemed to take to Tyneside like a duck to water
He was immediately taken to by the Newcastle faithful, and the Frenchman showed just what terrific skills he possesses, with a wonderful goal at Everton in September, in his first start for the club. There’s not many players today who could have scored a goal like that from 30 yards out.
Ad it wasn’t even a half chance, but he still beat goalkeeper Tim Howard all ends up, and Tim had no chance to reach the ball.
Of course the 23 year-old winger is recovering from his double broken leg, suffered at Man City in early October, and he will not return until some time in the new year.
But Ben Arfa has maintained contact with the Newcastle club and will rehabilitate on Tyneside from his injury, so he can keep in contact with the Newcastle players and manager Chris Hughton.
His current club Marseilles of course will not stand in his way and we understand the full price of the transfer will be around £7M, with £2M being paid up front for his one year loan deal, with the option of buying the French International for an additional £5M.
The deal can be completed at any time – and the sooner the better as far as we are concerned – because this boy will definitely improve the Newcastle squad, which is currently lacking in creativity.
Comments welcome.
15 comments so far
bentoon
Nov 24, 2010 at 1:39 PM
Comment #1All roumours at the minute but it would be nice. Cant see it happening IF we do go down again though, Although i have faith in the lads to get the points.
austoon
Nov 24, 2010 at 1:57 PM
Comment #2just in case we don’ t sign him, hughton should be looking for another creative player. Kranjcar is one and quite cheap also.
alex84
Nov 24, 2010 at 1:58 PM
Comment #3would be great if could get him signed up. as were missing that little bit of magic! get well soon hatem!!
spanishtoon
Nov 24, 2010 at 3:07 PM
Comment #4Football themed restaurant, hilarious article
http://www.postmatchpint.com
the didier drogbar – it’s a dive!
veto
Nov 24, 2010 at 3:15 PM
Comment #5he will never be the same player again after an injury like that , , moneys better spent elsewhere as much as i rated him even prior to his move to us .
TheToonKing
Nov 24, 2010 at 3:26 PM
Comment #6I disagree Veto. I had a similar injury and came back to play the same, i don’t even feel it. Although i still suck :))
A clean break at the center of the tibia, like Arfa has, doesn’t leave room for a lot of complications. If it was higher on the knee or lower on the ankle than yes, it could mean trouble for a long time.
chuck
Nov 24, 2010 at 5:36 PM
Comment #7Like to see him signed on a permanent basis, we could use a bit of flair in the side, someone who both entertains and can open up defenses, he is also versatile in where he can play and face it the price is right.
Seems he had a degree of prior knowledge about the club and it`s former French stars and actually wanted to sign with the side, hmmm!
Sign him Mike !
geoff777
Nov 24, 2010 at 5:46 PM
Comment #8I think the injury won’t be a long-term problem.
So sign him … but wait until the last possible moment that his loan deal will allow. Why sign him now?
It’s a funny world and strange things happen.
I’m sure the club’s management won’t hand over £5 million until the last day of his loan and after another medical.
balubas1
Nov 24, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Comment #9splash it.
cupiddstunt
Nov 24, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Comment #10And you base this assumption on what
Two words veto just two words HENRIK LARSON
Brutooon
Nov 24, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Comment #11sign him!!!!
Sav
Nov 25, 2010 at 3:00 AM
Comment #12There is no advantage at all in signing him now.
If he fails to recover entirely we can send him back or re-negotiate his price.
Anything else is just daft sentiment.
Darling27
Nov 25, 2010 at 8:18 AM
Comment #13Best to wait until he’s fully recovered and played a few games then see what happens at the end of the season.
Visten
Nov 25, 2010 at 1:02 PM
Comment #1430 yards? steady on Ed. Good player though and good value at 5m
beardsleys chin
Nov 25, 2010 at 2:26 PM
Comment #15should sign him now. He’s still young enuf and to me, he would an asset to the team….and eye candy is whats missin hehe….