It was touted in the French press, sources close to both Claude Puel and Hatem Ben Arfa suggested it could happen, and now Leicester City’s new manager has half hinted the Paris Saint-Germain forward could end up at King Power Stadium in the near future.
Presented to the press following his appointment as Craig Shakespeare’s replacement on Wednesday evening, the former Southampton manager was asked by a French journalist, in French, naturally, if a reunion could take place between the two at Leicester.
His answer? “We’ll see in the future, but as I said, it’s important to first get to know my squad very well, to see where the strengths lie and to prepare this first game against Everton. I need to study all the players and the team I have at my disposal. It’s my priority. Then we’ll see when the time comes.”
Of course, that wasn’t a straight up yes, but it also wasn’t a flat out no.
The two men have kept in touch since Claude Puel left for the Premier League and Hatem Ben Arfa joined his beloved Paris Saint-Germain, yet neither’s moves went to plan.
The now Leicester manager was sacked after finishing eighth with the Saints, while the 30-year-old has struggled to impose himself in the French capital, and is yet to make an appearance this season.
