An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Nabil Fekir heading into the summer transfer window...
What's the talk?
According to the Sunday Mirror, via TEAMtalk, PIF are plotting a bid to sign the Real Betis man and will face a challenge from Arsenal to land his signature.
The report claims that he will be available for a fee in the region of £30m, although it remains to be seen how much the Magpies are willing to pay for him.
Hatem Ben Arfa 2.0
PIF can land the new exciting French attacking midfielder at St. James' Park by bringing Fekir to the club this summer.
Both players are left-footed magicians who mainly play in the number 10 position or out wide on the right - cutting in on their preferred foot. Ben Arfa was a magical player to watch for the Toon as he scored and assisted goals and got fans off their seats with his creativity, which is exactly what Fekir can provide next season.
Over the last 365 days, Fekir has completed 1.89 dribbles and 5.29 shot-creating actions per 90. In La Liga, he averaged a phenomenal SofaScore rating of 7.26 as he scored six goals and provided eight assists, which proves that he can have a big impact in the final third, just like another Frenchman once had on Tyneside.
Ben Arfa completed 2.0 dribbles per game in his first full Premier League season at the club and chipped in with five goals and five assists playing in the number 10 role or off the right.
He was a constant threat cutting in on his left foot and Fekir's statistics suggest that he will be able to offer a similar, potentially even higher, level of quality in midfield.
Real Betis' club president Angel Haro previously showered the gem with praise, saying: "He is doing magnificently well. He is a champion of the world with tremendous quality. When you see him move with the ball, glued to his foot, you know he is going to do something genius."
These comments highlight his creativity and why he will be able to get the fans off their seats. His aforementioned stats and these comments prove that he has the technical ability to commit defenders and make things happen at the top end of the pitch, which is why he can be an excellent signing for Newcastle.