One of the least surprising rumours to pop up over the past few weeks, Hatem Ben Arfa to Leicester City was shot down, at least temporarily, by Claude Puel following his appointment as the Foxes’ manager.
Explaining to the press he wanted to get to know the squad currently at his disposal before making any kind of decision regarding the January transfer window, the French manager repeated his feelings in an interview with Christophe Dugarry on Thursday evening on RMC Sport.
Invited to discuss his new job, the conversation inevitably turned to his former protégé, with whom he’s been in contact since they parted ways at Nice.
Heavily criticised at Paris Saint-Germain, the attacking midfielder is yet to feature under Unai Emery this season and could be made available on a free to clubs this winter.
He said: “He’s a player and a person I appreciate. I don’t have any worries about his fitness. I’ve met him a few times. We’ve talked. I found him very sharp, despite his situation at Paris Saint-Germain, happy with himself, fit.
“Any club who has the opportunity to bring him in, I think it’ll be a good deal”.
While that club doesn’t appear to be Leicester for now, anything can happen over the next couple of months, even a Riyad Mahrez exit if the money is right.
If that happens, we know who will be top of Puel’s list.
