Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has managed to sign Hatem Ben Arfa on a season-long loan to strengthen his squad.

Ben Arfa has finally signed for Hughton after weeks of speculation about the future of the Marseille player and Hughton trying hard to make the deal happen. Ben Arfa is Hughton’s fifth signing of the summer for Newcastle.

Ben Arfa, who has had disciplinary problems in the past with Marseille, travelled to Tyneside earlier this month in an attempt to clinch a move, but returned to France with the clubs unable to agree terms.

It was always my first choice to come here and I’m delighted to be here.

Hatem Ben Arfa

He finally got his wish just one day after Ivory Coast international Cheik Tiote joined Newcastle, and Ben Arfa could face Blackpool in the club’s next league game.

Ben Arfa said: “It was always my first choice to come here and I’m delighted to be here.

“I have paid real attention to the history of the club and the great players to have played for it, and particularly the supporters, and I want to showcase my skills in Newcastle.

“All I’m waiting for is to show what I can do in front of the public in Newcastle.

“A lot of my friends in France already know the fans’ reputation. The stadium has an ambience that is unique and I feel very lucky to have his opportunity.”

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton was delighted to have managed to sign Ben Arfa, stressing that the negotiations to get him were very complex, but he was happy to now have got his man after a long chase.

Hughton said: “Hatem is a player who we have been tracking for a long time, and what is important is that he is not only a young player who should continue to improve, but somebody who already has a great reputation in the game.

“We think he will add flair to the squad and we are confident he will fit in well with the team that we have put together here.

“He will, I am sure, prove to be a great addition.”

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Guy Demel’s agent claims West Ham have bid 2million euros for the Ivory Coast defender and are now waiting to hear back from Hamburg.

Grant is keen to bolster his squad before the close of the transfer window and

Demel’s agent, Saif Rubie, says the Israeli has slapped in an offer for the former Arsenal defender.

“West Ham have made an offer on Friday of 2million euros for Guy,” Rubie told Sky Sports’ website.

“However, whether it will be enough for Hamburg to do business with just three days of the transfer window left remains to be seen.

“Guy is very happy at Hamburg and committed to doing the very best he can for the club.”

Guy Demel’s agent claims West Ham have bid 2million euros for the Ivory Coast defender and are now waiting to hear back from Hamburg.

Grant is keen to bolster his squad before the close of the transfer window and

Demel’s agent, Saif Rubie, says the Israeli has slapped in an offer for the former Arsenal defender.

“West Ham have made an offer on Friday of 2million euros for Guy,” Rubie told Sky Sports’ website.

“However, whether it will be enough for Hamburg to do business with just three days of the transfer window left remains to be seen.

“Guy is very happy at Hamburg and committed to doing the very best he can for the club.”

Newcastle have agreed terms with Dutch side FC Twente for the transfer of midfielder Cheick Tiote.

The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international has passed a medical and is now awaiting a work permit.

Tiote was part of Steve McClaren’s FC Twente side which won the Eredivisie last season, he also featured in all three of his country’s games at the World Cup finals.

Newcastle, who thrashed Aston Villa 6-0 to pick up their first points of the Premier League season today, face Accrington Stanley on Wednesday in the Carling Cup.

Full Time Result betting for the clash has home side Accrington available at 6.00 to cause an upset, Newcastle can be backed at 1.44 while the draw is 4.20.

Newcastle are 1.20 to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.

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Sven-Goran Eriksson has reiterated his interest in a return to management but admitted he has received no contact from Aston Villa.

The former England boss is without a job after leaving the Ivory Coast following the World Cup this summer, and is among the favourites to be offered the role at Villa Park following Martin O’Neill’s departure.

Eriksson was linked with the position in 2006 after leaving England before O’Neill was appointed, and made no secret of his desire to make a return to management.

However he claimed he had heard nothing from the Midlands club, who may turn to caretaker Kevin MacDonald after an emphatic 3-0 victory over West Ham in their opening game of the season.

“I have had no contact with them,” said Eriksson.

“I want to get back into football. It’s a big club, everybody knows that, but I’ve had no contact. We’ll see what happens.

“There are so many available managers around Europe and around the world, I’m not the only one (not contacted). And they did very well yesterday so they might not do anything.”