A surprise English club are apparently close to finalising a deal for French wing wizard Hatem Ben Arfa.

Bet £10 on Spurs to win the FA Cup with PaddyPower and get £20 free!

Join the Free CaughtOffside Fantasy Football League and Win £20k! CaughtOffside Fantasy Football League – PIN Number 1312

Jan. 30, 2010 - Montpellier, France - epa02011974 Alberto Costa of Montpellier Herault Sporting Club (R) challenges Hatem Ben Arfa of Olympique Marseille (L) during their soccer league one match, in Montpellier, France the 30 January 2009.

The Hatem Ben Arfa saga appears to be taking another twist, with a “surprise” English club now battling with Werder Bremen for the Olympique Marseille winger’s signature.

According to the Web site of the Marseille La Provence newspaper, the English club are not Newcastle, who have longed been linked with the player

“Negotiations are progressing seriously and Hatem has a great chance to play Saturday,” said his adviser, Michael Ouazine. “We are finalizing the contract.”

The winger is desperate for a move and is currently training alone in a Paris suburb. (IMScouting)

Well if it’s not Newcastle, who have been linked with the player for a while, then who could it be? Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are known admirers, and are both happy to land a bargain now and again.

Ben Arfa is a quality player and would be a great addition to any Premier League squad. It will be interesting to see how this rumour develops, and where the player will end up is anyone’s guess!