Southampton transfer news: Hatem Ben Arfa to be given escape from Paris-Saint Germain nightmare to reunite with old boss
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TWO months into the season and already Hatem Ben Arfa finds himself an isolated figure in the Paris-Saint Germain dressing room.
The Parisian realised his boyhood fantasy of donning the navy shirt of PSG, but his dream has turned into a living nightmare having been frozen out the squad.
It seemed as if things were too good to be true when Ben Arfa scored on his debut for his new side against Lyon in the French equivalent of the Community Shield.
But, just like when the 29-year-old was at Newcastle United and Hull City, his attitude has been questioned by PSG boss Unai Emery.
The playmaker has been a lonely figure the last three games, watching helplessly from the stands as he aims to change his manager's mind.
Emery recently said: "There are some players who are ready and some who are not. The players in the squad are the ones who are the most prepared to play."
And back in a press conference back on September 9, he said of Ben Arfa: "I want him to play more for the team and less for himself.
"I expect him to do more work defensively. He must improve his work, wait for the opportunity to play and do well when it comes."
And now Southampton manager Claude Puel looks set to offer his former star a career back in England.
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After leaving Newcastle on a free transfer, Puel helped to rejuvenate the career of one of France's lost prospects at Nice, where they secured fourth spot.
It turned out to be the best performing season for Ben Arfa - scoring a whopping 17 league goals and five assists as he re-found his love for the game.
Puel allowed the temperamental talent the love and trust he needed to play with freedom across the pitch, and not restrict him to a designated are of the pitch.
With the Saints losing key man Sadio Mane to Liverpool in the summer, could Hatem Ben Arfa be the man to help this struggling Southampton side?