Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier says he remains open to talks with Newcastle target Hatem Ben Arfa.
French champions holding out for Magpies target
Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier insists he remains open to talks with Newcastle target Hatem Ben Arfa.
France international Ben Arfa has reached a stalemate with the French champions after they rejected his plea for a move to St James' Park this summer.
Ben Arfa, who has refused to train over the last few days and was dropped for Saturday's Ligue 1 defeat at Valenciennes, has said he will not return to the club and insists his future lies with the Magpies.
However, while condemning his attitude, Marseille chief Dassier has left the door open for negotiations with the temperamental 23-year-old forward.
"We cannot accept Hatem Ben Arfa's attitude," Dassier told French radio station
RTL. "A professional player must honour his contract.
"That said, I don't want to be the man who ruins Ben Arfa's career."
He added: "Let's try to talk and see if we can find a solution."
Marseille have endured a dismal start to their title defence, losing their first two league matches of the season.
