If you’ve been keeping an eye on what’s going on over in the French league, you’ll probably have noticed that Hatem Ben Arfa isn’t exactly enjoying life in Paris at the moment.
Following an incredible comeback season under Claude Puel last season, Ben Arfa pretty much had the world at his feet, and chose to go to the club he’s always supported.
While it seemed like a match made in heaven, things haven’t quite got to plan and there are already rumours in France that clubs have enquired to the Ligue 1 champions about a possible loan.
According to Foot-Sur7, one of those happen to be Southampton where the aforementioned Claude Puel took over after Ronald Koeman left for Everton.
Coincidence? We don’t think so.
It’s an easy story, and a potentially believable one, but as Puel has already explained, to get the best of Ben Arfa, you need to build around him, and Southampton probably have better players to do that with than the French attacking midfielder at this moment in time.
Plus, they’ve also signed Sofiane Boufal, who should end up being the former Nice manager’s new Ben Arfa when he eventually starts playing.