Listen up: But Cabaye reportedly did not like what Arsenal had to say about him (Picture: PA)

It could have been a stroke of genius or a massive mistake depending on whether Newcastle wanted to hang on to Yohan Cabaye or not, but it seems some unorthodox tactics from Toon chairman Mike Ashley scuppered any chance there was of the Frenchman joining Arsenal.

BBC journalist James Pearce claims that Ashley allowed Cabaye to listen in on negotiations between the clubs and intimated the French playmaker did not like what he heard.

Pearce tweeted: ‘I’m told Mike Ashley let Cabaye listen to phone negotiations last week + he heard Arsenal say: “25 million a lot for a reserve” #moodchanger’



MORE: Transfer deadline day live blog


Arsenal originally riled Mapgies boss Alan Pardew by offering £10m for Cabaye but it’s unclear how far the Gunners were prepared to bid in order to capture the 27-year-old.

In any event, a fresh bid for Cabaye would now appear unlikely, with Real Madrid attacker Mesut Ozil apparently set to complete a £42m switch to the Emirates Stadium.

The north Londoners were also in discussions about signing of Demba Ba from Chelsea.