Magpies desperate to sign French star and other red-hot gossip

(19-09-2010) Newcastle are desperate to sign Hatem Ben Arfa permanently. This comes after the French winger showed his class by scoring a stunning winner for the Magpies against Everton on Saturday. Ben Arfa is on loan at St James Park from French giants Marseille until the end of the season. Elsewhere, Manchester United are determined to land Real Madrid's French midfielder Lassana Diarra; Liverpool are interested in bringing Napoli's Uruguay striker Edinson Cavani to Anfield in January; Tottenham and Everton are keen on signing Togo teenage striker Peniel Mlapa from German club Hoffenheim; and former Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz is set to rejoin Manchester United for a third time as assistant manager.