Newcastle sign French ace

Tuesday, 10/08/2010

France midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa is set to join Newcastle in a season-long loan deal.

It is understood that the Geordie's will have an option to buy Marseille star at the end of the season.

Newcastle are so far remaining tight-lipped about the deal which is expected to go through before the weekend. Ben Arfa has also been wanted by clubs in Italy and Germany but is understood to have wanted to take a chance in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old is expected to add to his seven French caps in France's friendly with Norway this week following two years out of the international set up.

Ben Arfa joins a Newcastle  squad that lost midfielders Nicky Butt and Fabrice Pancrate at the end of last season.

The Magpies are expected to add another defender and possibly a striker to their squad before the transfer window shuts.

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