Hatem Ben Arfa set to leave English football after returning to Paris

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/13/hatem-ben-arfa-hull-newcastle-leaving

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Hatem Ben Arfa’s troubled tenure in English football seems certain to end in January, with reports in France indicating that Hull’s on-loan winger will be leaving the KC Stadium next month.

L’Equipe reports that the Frenchman has returned to his native Paris where he is working with a fitness coach and searching for a new club.

The French sports newspaper reported that Ben Arfa is in negotiations with Hull to release him early from his contract in January and there is understood to be interest in the former Lyon and Marseille player from clubs in Germany, Spain, France and Brazil.

Ben Arfa has made just eight appearances for Hull since joining on loan from Newcastle in the summer and Hull’s manager, Steve Bruce, this week suggested that the maverick’s spell for the Tigers was coming to end. “Hatem Ben Arfa – it hasn’t worked just yet,” he said. “The people that we brought in to give us that extra dimension – it hasn’t quite happened yet but we have to give it time.”

Ben Arfa remains a Newcastle player until his contract expires in the summer, but it is unlikely that he will be welcomed back at St James’ Park after falling foul of some senior team-mates and the club’s manager, Alan Pardew.