Magpies join chase for QPR misfit.
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Newcastle United are set to make an attempt to beat AC Milan to the signing of Queens Park Rangers winger Adel Taarabt, CaughtOffside understands.
The Magpies could be in need of new signings on the flanks this summer amid rumours that troubled French attacker Hatem Ben Arfa could be offloaded by the club after falling out of favour with manager Alan Pardew for much of the 2013/14 season.
Liverpool are said to be interested in signing Ben Arfa, which could free up Newcastle to invest in a quality new addition in that part of the pitch, with Pardew seemingly identifying Taarabt as the ideal candidate to come in.
The 25-year-old is unlikely to stay with parent club QPR after spending this season on loan with two different clubs. The Moroccan international first joined Fulham on a six-month deal at the start of the season, but failed to impress at Craven Cottage before then earning a surprise move to Milan on loan for the second half of the campaign.
Taarabt has shown much better form during his time in Serie A and it is thought that they will do their best to keep him permanently, with the player himself also being quoted as saying he wants to join the Italian giants, but Newcastle are still confident that they can try to hijack the deal.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man would fit in well at St James’ Park given the team’s attacking style of play, and it would be a good chance for him to establish himself in English football again after some ups and downs in his Premier League career so far.
Taarabt is not known for being the most consistent individual, despite showing flashes of brilliance during his time with both Spurs and QPR, but Newcastle are ready to give him another chance to prove himself.
A move for the wide-man to move to Milan permanently may also be complicated now by the change of management at the San Siro, with Filippo Inzaghi replacing Clarence Seedorf as the club’s manager on Monday.
Seedorf was known to be a fan of Taarabt and seemed to be able to get the best out of him, but it remains to be seen if the player will also be in Inzaghi’s plans, which could allow Newcastle to capitalise.
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