According to reports in the Daily Mail, West Ham United are considering making a move for out of favour Paris Saint-Germain forward Hatem Ben Arfa, but they could face competition for his signature from Premier League rivals Leicester City.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Daily Mail says the 30-year-old will be allowed to leave the Parc des Princes either on loan or on a free transfer following a dispute with the Ligue 1 giants, and West Ham and Leicester are among the club considering signing the former Newcastle United man.
While the Daily Mail says the Foxes may need a replacement for the want-away Islam Slimani in the New Year, Irons boss David Moyes may consider strengthening his frontline with the east London outfit scoring just 12 goals in their 14 Premier League matches so far this term.
How has Ben Arfa done with PSG?
Despite being something of a regular last season with four goals and seven assists in 32 appearances in all competitions for the French outfit, the signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have pushed the 30-year-old down the pecking order and he is yet to play a single minute this term.
The dispute between him and the club came after he believed it was against LFP regulations for him to be demoted to train with the youth team rather than the first team earlier in the season.
Why would he be a good signing for West Ham?
The Irons have never replaced the quality and unpredictability that Dimitri Payet brought previously, and while Ben Arfa may not be in the same league as his fellow Frenchman he does have the skill and ability to do something out of nothing that can be so vital to a struggling team.
18 goals and a further six assists in 37 appearances in the 2015/16 campaign with Nice show what the attacker is capable of, and he is also able to play in a range of attacking positions.
And why wouldn’t he?
There have always been worries about the 30-year-old’s mentality and he would also be seen as something of a luxury player.
Considering West Ham are right in a relegation battle following their 4-0 defeat to Everton on Wednesday – and the fact that they have Marko Arnautovic in their ranks – it probably wouldn’t be wise to sign Ben Arfa.