FrenchWilliam

Link? http://www.foot01.com/equipe/marseille/le-conseiller-de-ben-arfa-s-attaque-a-deschamps,58513

http://www.readytogo.net/smb/showthread.php?t=519266

Linked in June: http://www.footmercato.net/transferts/le-real-madrid-seduit-par-ben-arfa_51130 Agent confirms he turned them down: http://www.footmercato.net/ligue1/transferts/le-real-madrid-s-est-fait-refoule-par-ben-arfa_54464

Was there not some rumour floating around that they were waiting to qualify in Europe before making a bid for Fabiano or someone similar?

I think the biggest reason we have got Ben Arfa here is because for some insane reason he had his heart set on coming here. For our part we put in an offer and kept our fingers crossed he wouldn't go anywhere else. Dunno why people keep saying that. I think it's more he had his heart set on leaving Marseille, and at the time his Newcastle quotes came out we were the only club who he'd spoken to or who had made an offer. I don't for one second think he's forced this through out of any burning desire to play for us.

Official: Newcastle > Real Madrid: http://www.francefootball.fr/FF/breves2010/20100827_101842_ben-arfa-aurait-refuse-le-real.html

There were definitely no wise men.

People typing 'French' accents: have you ever heard a French person speak?

Neymar's already said no to Chelsea and signed a new contract at Santos. Was just readin this earlier: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/timvickery/2010/08/neymar_hailed_for_premier_leag.html Always like Tim Vickery's columns, one of the better sections of the beeb site.

Aye did he not says Tiote was speculation about a day before signing him?

Caulkin on the twitter: "Hughton on Ben Arfa: "Discussions are ongoing & hopefully it's something that can be done." Robbie Keane? "Speculation." Utaka? "No." #NUFC "

"you don't see that very often" - like your fucking goals shola I like how he keeps talking about his interior designer too.

I can't hate the guy after having seen him on MTV Cribs. Don't know if I'm allowed to post it but it's on youtube. Just confirms that he's a massive dopey bastard on and off the pitch. Funny though.

HBA > Routledge any day. On paper at least.

You interested in the Villa job by any chance?

Everyone is slowly losing the plot.

Yeah too much man

I'd put money on it that Ronaldo still believes that. Does he ever change his mind? He no longer thinks Beckford is a young Andy Cole.

You wouldn't get that from any other guy. If i was chairman of a club with a player worth 7M + I wouldn't want a loan deal for the guy tbh, cash upfront I think he just wants to tell you how he's feeling.

What was it? I clicked the link and it came up blocked by websense.

To be fair I've only ever been in there pissed. Slightly disappointed to hear it's not that great.

Mistletoe That's the one.

What's that little bakery on Osbourne road called again? Ivy, or thistle, or something like that. Anyway, I could be tempted to fly to Jesmond for some of their stuff.

Kenny