Rafa Benitez could secure a top-half finish in the Premier League next season if he brings Hatem Ben Arfa back to Newcastle this summer.
The 30-year-old attacker has endured a difficult spell with French giants Paris Saint-Germain this season, starting just 10 of his 32 league and cup encounters.
Benitez looks to be in the market for a new winger, with Polish outfit Sportowefakty claiming the Toon want Hull’s Kamil Grosicki while the Chronicle claim Andros Townsend could be brought back to St. James’ Park.
There are a number of reasons why a move for Arfa would prove to be a shrewd bit of business.
Ben Arfa was adored by Newcastle fans during his four and a half years with the Tyneside outfit, having a hand in 30 goals in his 86 league and cup appearances.
Despite a turbulent spell that saw the versatile attacker leave on loan to Hull and released as a free agent, moments like his solo goal against Bolton endeared him to the Toon faithful. Bringing him back to Newcastle would prove a major coup for Benitez.
With Benitez set to lose Yoann Gouffran and Sammy Ameobi as their current contracts are set to expire in a months’ time, the Magpies are left with just Matt Ritchie and permanent signing Christian Atsu out wide. Signing Ben Arfa from PSG would not only add quality, creativity and goals to Benitez’s side, but most importantly would give the Spanish manager options on the flanks.
Used as a squad player by Unai Emery this season, the former Nice ace is behind the likes of Lucas Moura, Angel Di Maria, Javier Pastore and Julian Draxler and is unlikely to be given a regular first-team slot under Emery next season.
With his contract set to expire in just a year’s time too, Ben Arfa could be offloaded by the French giants in a cut-price deal in order to avoid losing the 15-time France international on a free transfer. That would see Benitez preserve his transfer budget in order to bolster other areas of his squad that need strengthening, including central midfield and left-back.