The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder looks set to leave the French capital.
Paris Saint Germain are willing to let midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa leave this January according to the Sun.
The 30-year-old has not featured at all this season and has made just eight starts in all competitions since arriving on a free transfer from Nice in July 2016.
The Sun also reported in November that Leicester City are eyeing the Frenchman. Foxes boss Claude Puel worked with Ben Arfa during the 2015-16 season at Nice, where he netted 18 goals, so a reunion may be on the cards.
There is another one of Ben Arfa’s former managers in the Premier League who may need him more than Puel. Alan Pardew’s West Bromwich Albion are 19th and have not won a league game since August.
The Albion are lacking flair and creativity and Pardew needs to bring in more attacking talent if he is to keep the Baggies up.
Pardew and Ben Arfa spent three and a half years together at St James’ Park. During that period, Newcastle finished fifth in 2012 and the former Marseille man scored 14 goals on Tyneside.
Their relationship was not always perfect. Pardew often criticised Ben Arfa’s work rate and attitude but that sometimes worked in getting a response from him.
Ben Arfa is a maverick character but he is the type of explosive, unpredictable player West Brom are lacking. He can score and create goals out of nothing and the only player of a similar ilk at The Hawthorns is Nacer Chadli, who has struggled this term with injuries.
There is no doubt the Frenchman would be a risk but Pardew and West Brom need to take a few of those to stay up. Ben Arfa should be financially feasible and Pardew would at least be bringing in a player he knows and someone with a point to prove so he is surely worth considering.
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