Real Madrid striker 'tried to convince' the club to sign ex-NUFC star this summer - Report

According to reports in France, Karim Benzema tried to convince Real Madrid President Florentino Perez to sign Hatem Ben Arfa earlier this summer - a move the ‎Los Blancos chief decided against in the end.

Ben Arfa - who was released by PSG earlier in the year - was available on a free transfer this summer and finally sealed a move to Ligue 1 side Rennes last week; however things could've been very different if fellow Frenchman Karim Benzema had his way!

Benzema played alongside the 31-year old at Lyon and in several French youth set ups, so will know Ben Arfa very well.

French publication Ouest-France claim that Real Madrid President Florentino Perez was considering offering him a performance based contract at one stage, however the possibility of any deal 'died' when new boss Julen Lopetegui was appointed back in June.

https://twitter.com/GFFN/status/1036563595881013249

It would've been quite a story, but I think Hatem's move to Ligue 1 side Rennes will work out far better than a headline-grabbing move to the Bernabeu would have (especially if his big move to PSG is anything to go by..)

Good luck to him at Rennes - hopefully he can get his career back on track after an awful few years at PSG.

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