Love em or Hate'm?The potential loan move of Hatem Ben Arfa to Newcastle has been one of the most protracted transfer stories of the summer to date.
Maybe it just seems that way as it involves our club? Possibly, but for a move that had seemed pretty certain earlier in the week there doesn’t seem to be a lot happening with regard to it.
You can take a look at any number of sources for the latest information regarding the transfer, and I am willing to bet that you won’t find two articles that are reporting the same. The deal is on, the deal is off, Newcastle agree a deal, then they don’t and so on. At the end of the day it is the amount of time that the deal is taking that is causing these different stories. (more…)
Just a quick update on the Ben Arfa saga, which finally appears to be drawing to a close, at last.
Sky Sports News have reported that Marseille have accepted a fee of around £1 million from Newcastle to take the 23-year old Frenchman on loan for the season.
It is understood that the deal includes an option to buy at the end of the deal, which hopefully means that future payments will be set out in advance should the player impress and Newcastle wish to make the move permanent. (more…)
Hatem tuned up for Toon?It looks like the Ben Arfa saga could be drawing to a close as press reports seem to indicate that a deal has been reached between Newcastle and Marseille.
The Journal reports that Newcastle and Marseille have agreed a fee of around £700,000 to secure the services of the French international on a season long loan deal with an option to purchase the player at the end of the season most likely.
Personal details are yet to be finalised, but they are at the point where Ben Arfa’s agent has said it would be “impossible to comment”. Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier, who mentioned the possibility of a deal over the weekend, has revealed that more talks are planned between the two clubs today. (more…)
Fancy a gamble Mike?The Ben Arfa saga rolls on with no end in end in sight, and still there are no clues as to where the player is likely to end up.
Marseille have slapped a £6 million price-tag on the player, which Hoffenheim look like they are willing to meet, but the player would apparently prefer to move to Newcastle.
The problem with that is our apparent reluctance to meet the asking price, which makes me wonder what the game is at St James’ Park regarding transfers. Apparently we have had a loan-to-buy bid and a £4 million transfer fee rejected, which is fine, playing hardball in negotiations and that. But should Ben Arfa be a player that we should just stump up the asking price for? (more…)
Sol signs 1 year deal.Newcastle have today confirmed that they have secured the services of 35-year old Sol Campbell on a one year deal.
Campbell will take the previously vacant number 5 jersey and will bring with him a whole host of experience that will hopefully help Newcastle establish themselves back in the top flight.
Although Campbell is appraoching the end of his playing career it still looks like it could be a good move for Newcastle. For me, Campbell proved he can still play at Premier League level last season with Arsenal, and the fact that Arsene Wenger was apparently keen to get Sol to sign on at The Emirates again should be a decent sign that he could have another top flight season left in his tank. (more…)
