According to reports in France today, former Newcastle United favourite Hatem Ben Arfa ‘rejected’ an offer from West Ham this summer – instead holding out for a move to Lyon – a move that has also failed to materialise.
The Frenchman was released by PSG earlier this summer after an awful few years in Paris and is now available to be signed on a free.
It was confirmed last month that the big-spending Hammers held an interest in signing him on a free this summer, and it’s now been revealed today that he in fact rejected their approach – all in the hope that he could instead return to former club Lyon as Nabil Fekir’s replacement.
As it turns out, Fekir has ended up remaining with Lyon – failing to secure a move to the likes of Liverpool or Chelsea – meaning Hatem is still without a club a week into the new season and potentially left regretting his decision to turn down West Ham.
Here’s a snippet from GFFN’s (Get French Football News) update on the free-agent attacker today, revealing just why he turned down the Hammers – not that it’s worked out as he planned ever since:
’31-year-old free agent and attacking midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa rejected an approach from West Ham in the hope that Lyon would sign him as a replacement for Nabil Fékir, who has ended up staying with Les Gones, according to Foot 365.
‘The player and his entourage remain open to all offers.’
Hatem Ben Arfa rejected an approach from West Ham in the hope that Lyon would sign him as a replacement for Nabil Fékir, who has ended up staying with OL, according to Foot 365 https://t.co/GF9gp7F5G0
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) August 15, 2018
Hopefully he finds a new club before long – and one that will actually suit him this time.
He’s a huge talent, but a completely wasted one as things stand.
A real enigma and a player who could’ve achieved so much more in the game with the right attitude?
(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)
