PSG Outcast Hatem Ben Arfa Linked With Claude Puel Reunion at Leicester City
Paris Saint-Germain winger Hatem Ben Arfa has been linked with a return to the Premier League, with Leicester thought to be the destination, per RMC Sport.
The Frenchman spent five years at Newcastle, before leaving for OGC Nice in 2015. And some good form displayed over there saw him join PSG last year. The move hasn't been as great as he'd imagined, however, and he could complete another transfer pretty soon, as things are as bleak as they could possibly get at his current club.
Newly unveiled Leicester City boss Claude Puel was partly responsible for the player getting his career back on track at Nice, and the pair are said to have a great relationship.
With Puel replacing Craig Shakespeare at the King Power Stadium this week, the former Southampton boss will look to stamp a new identity on the side, which has regressed remarkably since winning the Premier League title under Claudio Ranieri two seasons ago.
Ben Arfa has been forced to train with the reserves at PSG and hasn't made a first-team appearance since April. He was reported as having taken legal action against the club last month, and it doesn't look like he has a future at the Parc des Princes at the moment.
A source close to Puel has told RMC that the manager would like to work with Ben Arfa again, but wants to have a proper look in at Leicester before making such decisions.
“They’re very close," said the source. "Claude never hid his disappointment at how Hatem was used at PSG and that he’d like to work with him again.
“First, Claude needs to find his bearings, try to redress Leicester’s situation and only then will he think about transfers. But, he likes Hatem, that isn’t new.”
