Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton remains keen on Olympique Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa.
The Evening Chronicle says Hughton has played a shrewd game in the transfer market so far this summer and is determined not to be gazumped on any of his targets.
The United manager has always played down talk of signing the French international. But with Arfa making his feelings crystal clear at Marseille and the fact he wants a crack at the Premier League, Newcastle could well add his signature imminently to go with those of Dan Gosling, Sol Campbell and James Perch.
The former Lyon star would certainly give Hughton more options in his midfield engine room, with Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Danny Guthrie and Alan Smith already battling it out for places.
