Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is pushing Hatem Ben Arfa to pen a new deal.

The Mirror says Pardew has been sounded out by Liverpool chief Brendan Rodgers about his French star, but does not want to do business.

Now Ben Arfa, who is coming back from a lengthy injury lay-off, is due to sort out new terms to bump up his salary and tie him down for his peak years.

The 25-year-old has been a stand-out for the Geordies when fit and his problems this season have come at the same time as the club's slide down the table.