Newcastle United are on the brink of signing Olympique Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa.
The Daily Mail says the French winger is currently preparing to represent his country against Norway but is understood to have already given his approval to the move.
The initial year-long loan will cost the Magpies £650,000 and will come with the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.
Chris Hughton has endured a frustrating summer in the transfer market up until now but it has pulled off a major coup is luring Ben Arfa to St James' Park.
Newcastle have beaten off competition from Everton, as well as German outfit Hoffenheim.
The 23-year-old joins defender James Perch and former Everton man Dan Gosling on Tyneside, adding attacking flair to a team short on creativity.
