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Newcastle fans call for return of 29-year-old star on Twitter
By Emma Sanders
Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter to debate whether former playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa should be a January transfer window target for the Magpies after it emerged he may be available in a loan deal.
The 29-year-old is currently at Paris Saint-Germain but several reports are linking him with a possible loan move in January as the window approaches.
According to the Chronicle, several European reports including ESPN and L’Equipe have claimed Fenerbahce have shown an interest in the Frenchman.
Ben Arfa is still a fan favourite at St James’ Park and some fans have been clamouring for a return for their former midfielder.
Ben Arfa was with the Magpies between 2010 and 2015 and went on to make 78 league appearances, scoring 13 goals in the Premier League during five seasons.
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Here is a selection of the messages on Twitter:
no chance we will get Benny back IMO. All paper talk, Rafa would never agree to it.
— TrezasToon (@keithtrezayoung) December 27, 2016
quite simple, make him the star, and focal point, stroke his ego, and he will deliver
— Rob Gibson (@rgibson24) December 27, 2016
I would punch a whole harras of horses to see Ben Arfa back at Newcastle United.
— tom (@toonlowdown) December 27, 2016
I would love to have Hatem Ben Arfa back at newcastle, Man was a god #Nufc
— lee✌ (@leelowery96) December 27, 2016
Draxler's move to PSG means Ben Arfa will get next to no game time at all. Time for a return to Newcastle Hatem?
— Lewis Robson (@Lew_Robson) December 24, 2016
@Hatem_Ben_Arfa Veuillez retourner à Newcastle???????????????? I even said it in french… surely that's worth something?! #NUFC
— Sean Parkin (@SeanParkin93) December 23, 2016
@rafabenitezweb please sign hatem ben arfa again please! Thanks from everyone from newcastle!
— Callum Murray (@callummurray21) December 23, 2016
The Frenchman was criticised on a number of occasions for his attitude off the pitch and it was inevitably his downfall when he left the club in 2015 following a suspected fall-out with Alan Pardew.
It seems his poor reputation has followed him and some fans claim it would be a mistake to bring Ben Arfa into the dressing room while Benitez is in charge.
However, he could be just the player Newcastle need to provide a spark and give them the edge they need to secure promotion out of the Championship and back into the English top flight.
In other Newcastle news, Mick Quinn has delivered this damning verdict on the Magpies.