Toon boss revealed Cabaye had his head turned.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has admitted Yohan Cabaye tried to engineer a move to Arsenal this summer.
The Gunners had a £10m for the France international rejected in late August, with Newcastle reportedly holding out for at least £15m.
Cabaye refused to play in the Toon’s opening two matches of the Premier League season and Pardew admitted the 27-year-old’s head had been turned.
But the playmaker has since apologised to fans and returned to the first team, with Arsenal landing £43.4m Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid.
Pardew stressed that Cabaye tried to engineer a transfer but says his relationship with Cabaye has remained ‘intact’.
“That was a difficult situation because I’ve got a great relationship with Yohan.
“When a player comes in and is trying to force a move, which really and truly he was trying to do, which happens at other clubs, we’re not the only club that’s happened to, then it’s difficult and we had some words.
“I told him my opinion but the most important thing when you get through that process is coming out the other side that you’re still intact. Fortunately, me and Yohan have come through that intact, and that’s important.
“Yohan stayed because I do feel that he’s an important player for us. He’s such a talent in terms of being a technician on the ball.
“He’s just got such great quality. He’s as good a midfield player as I’ve worked with and when you consider I’ve had Michael Carrick amongst many, I’d put him in that level.
“He’s a player ingrained in the French side and will be a big part of the French team that goes to the World Cup, if they qualify.”
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