In what has been one of the craziest transfer sagas of the 2016 summer window, born-again French midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has finally sealed his move away from Nice after a spectacular season, but has joined PSG over a move to Spain and England.
The former Newcastle and Hull City outcast joins the Ligue 1 champions on a two-year deal as a free agent having seen out his loan spell with Nice, in which he scored 17 goals and assisted 6. The man who was shockingly left out of France’s UEFA Euro 2016 joins Les Parisiens despite links to Barca and Leicester City.
Le @psg_inside est heureux d’annoncer la signature du contrat d’Hatem Ben Arfa jusqu’au 30 juin 2018 #TheDreamHunter pic.twitter.com/0ukOIMPlNL
— PSG Officiel (@PSG_inside) July 1, 2016
The Frenchman left the English Premier League in favor of a return back home with his career in shambles, but was rumored to be on his way back to join the Foxes after Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas revealed to Canal+:
''Ben Arfa, it is a question of passion. He is close to our desire, our enthusiasm, to our fans. I think that he really wants to join Lyon
''If he does not come, it will be for reasons that have nothing to do with passion.
''I believe that it is more Leicester City in terms of the direction he is heading. That is what people have told me who spoke to him on the phone this afternoon.''
Absolutely buzzing for Ben Arfa!! The fact he was so bady mismanaged highlights why Pardew and Bruce shouldn't be anywhere near a top job!!!
— Joe (@Joeeeeeee_96) July 1, 2016
PSG have signed Ben Arfa on a free. Good business.
— Matt (@FalseFirmino) July 1, 2016
153 - Hatem Ben Arfa completed 153 dribbles in Ligue 1 last season, highest tally among the Top 5 leagues. Show. @PSG_inside
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) July 1, 2016
I'm actually delighted that Ben Arfa's bagged himself a big move. From not getting a game at Hull to PSG, what a turnaround. Kudos.
— Liam Canning (@OffsideLiam) July 1, 2016
PSG sign Hatem Ben Arfa on a free transfer.
— bet365 (@bet365) July 1, 2016
34 games
17 goals
6 assists
Bargain. pic.twitter.com/ZkAU72kqjO
Ben Arfa, who was also a target for Lyon and Sevilla, will now join a team who will have to cope with the exits of star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic – he’s headed to Man United – and their former manager Laurent Blanc. Unai Emery was named as the new boss, and now the squad has been bolstered by the addition of an undeniable midfield talent.
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