News has emerged that Newcastle United have the option to purchase winger Hatem Ben Arfa from Marseille at the end of his loan spell this season.

The French international impressed Premier League admirers this past weekend, with a stunning 25-yard winner against Everton on Saturday, and manager Chris Hughton says the club have the option of purchase in the future:

“We have a loan with an option to sign him. We had a lot of competition to get him, but the lad was desperate to join us, which is why we pushed so hard for him.

He had a very good full debut. We brought him here because we don’t have many options on the left. He was a big part of a good team performance. Goodison isn’t always the best place to come after a home defeat, but we were excellent from first to last.”

The 23 year-old is expected to play in Newcastle’s next match against Chelsea, where the team looks to continue its good run after promotion from the Championship last season.