Newcastle United’s French maestro has been a revelation since the turn of the year, but will his outstanding form attract new suitors?
Last month both the Mail and the Mirror ran a ridiculous story that Chelsea were ready to spend £90 million on bringing in Cheik Tiote and Tim Krul.
Chances of it actually happening? Zero.
Both are tied to long contracts and are key parts of the Newcastle line-up, and while such crazy money can turn-heads, both will have seen the plight of once-prized asset Andy Carroll.
The same headline writer must have come up with the figure, who claimed Newcastle were going to spend £50 million on Olivier Giroud. Again, no chance.
Nonetheless, it is bound to be a matter of time before Chelsea, or even Liverpool, are linked with signing the mercurial Frenchman.
Will he actually end up going anywhere? Probably not.
Newcastle have become experts at fending off advances for their star performers in recent months, with Demba Ba another wanted man who has been linked with Stamford Bridge.
Hatem Ben Arfa, who has scored three goals in his last four, will no doubt be the next player linked away.
He is already on a long contract, so Newcastle have nothing to worry about there.
Ben Arfa, Ba, Tiote and Krul should all decide to stick around at St James Park for the forseeable future.
The fact they are wanted by rival teams is only a compliment to their achievements this season.
They should carry on their success and push as far as possible, even more so if their Champions League qualification bid is successful.
Ben Arfa should tell any potential suitors to get lost. Chelsea especially.
After all, a look at the league table will simply tell him the move would be a step down any way, right?
Newcastle fans, are you worried Ben Arfa’s form will attract bids from interested clubs or are you confident he will stay regardless?
image: © mikebrown59
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