Ben Arfa ready to go on strike to get Newcastle move

Olympique Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa is ready to sit out the season to get his move to Newcastle United.

The France international has refused to train with OM, though he played 34 minutes of the opening Ligue 1 clash of the season against Caen and club president Jean-Claude Dassier insisted earlier this week he "remains part of the workforce".

Ben Arfa has other ideas, though, even if it means writing off his season.

He told L'Equipe: "I will not return to La Commanderie (OM's training ground). It's over. I am ready to not play this season. I have my pride, my dignity. I am not a stop-gap.

"Over time, people will see that I was right. Just because we are paid does not mean we are slaves."

 
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