Newcastle United must cough up £1 million to take Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa on a season-long loan.
The Sunday Sun says United have been tracking Ben Arfa all summer and tried to broker a deal last week, only to see their 400,000 Euro offer turned down by Marseille.
However, with the French club trying desperately to trim their wage bill to bring in new recruits, they are prepared to sanction the move if Newcastle cough up just shy of £1million.
Hoffenheim and Benfica also have an interest in Ben Arfa - called up to France's senior squad for the first time this season - but the sources close to the player have made it clear he wants to chance his arm in the Premier League.
