Newcastle Transfer News: Florian Thauvin Available For £8 Million?

Daily Mail. The Magpies have a long-term interest in Thauvin, who has also been on Arsenal's radar, and first made contact with Lille about the player's availability back in January. However, they were put off by the French club's valuation of the player at that time. Should they be successful with any bid for the starlet now, Thauvin would become Newcastle's eleventh French signing following the recent acquisition of Loic Remy on loan from Queens Park Rangers. The 20-year-old is one of France's top emerging talents and has made nine appearances for his country at youth level. Meanwhile, manager Alan Pardew is hoping Hatem Ben Arfa can play a more prominent role for his club this season. Another Frenchman, Ben Arfa was limited to just 19 Premier League appearances last season thanks to an ongoing hamstring injury. Since arriving from Marseille on loan in 2010 and permanently a year later, the 26-year-old has also seen his three seasons at St James' Park wrecked by a horrific double leg break following a robust tackle from Nigel De Jong. But the midfielder is in contention to start tonight's league opener against De Jong's former side Manchester City at the Etihad after coming through pre-season unscathed.