French champions Marseille on Friday admitted that they were close to agreeing a deal to sell unsettled striker Hatem Ben Arfa to English top flight side Newcastle.
Ben Arfa has refused to train for Didier Deschamps’ side as he holds out for a move before Tuesday’s closure of the transfer window.
Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier said that he expected an agreement to be reached quickly.
“I think that we could quickly see Hatem in a Newcastle shirt. All of his team are even in England at the moment,” said Dassier.
The 23-year-old Ben Arfa was told he could leave the club in June and was believed to be on the verge of a loan move to Newcastle, but Marseille changed their stance after selling striker Mamadou Niang to Fenerbahce.
German side Werder Bremen were also reported to be interested in signing the France international.
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