Reds battling Magpies for French star and other red-hot gossip

(27-08-2010) Liverpool and Newcastle are fighting it out for the signature of highly-rated Frenchman Hatem Ben Arfa. The 23-year-old Marseille winger has gone on strike in an effort to force through a move. Bundesliga giants Werder Bremen are also believed to be monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, Tottenham are mulling over the possibility of a £12m move for AC Milan and Holland striker Klaas-Jan-Huntelaar; Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is not interested in leaving the Dutch side for Arsenal following their Champions League qualification; Newcastle and West Ham are interested in signing Tottenham striker Robbie Keane on loan before the transfer window shuts next Tuesday; and Arsenal on Thursday finally completed the signing of French defender Sebastien Squillaci from Sevilla.