IT’S BEEN A hectic few days for Paris Saint-Germain.
They appointed a new coach in Unai Emery, waved goodbye to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and have signed up one of Europe’s most in-demand players.
Hatem Ben Arfa has signed a two-year deal and joins on a free transfer from Nice.
The transfer represents quite a remarkable turnaround for the 29-year-old who was isolated, out-of-form and marooned in England not too long ago.
Having signed a permanent deal with Newcastle in January 2011, he delivered some encouraging performances during his first couple of seasons.
But after falling out with Alan Pardew, he was exiled and forced to train with the reserves.
In 2014, he went on loan to Hull but failed to reignite his career, making just five starts between September and December.
It was new Southampton boss Claude Puel who rescued him, bringing Ben Arfa to Nice in January of last year and it was there that he enjoyed a spectacular rejuvenation.
He hit 17 goals and conjured a further six assists as the side finished in fourth place.
There were a litany of clubs interested in his signature – Barcelona among them.
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Is there any information yet on what the issue was with the Carnacon people? I remember when the withdrawals were first reported there seemed to be a good few posters supporting them. So they at least must know what they were complaining about