Newcastle Forcing "Fat" Ben Arfa Out This Summer

Over-weight attacker won't go on tour to New Zealand with his team.

When news broke that Hatem Ben Arfa had returned from his summer break only to find himself - along with Sylvain Marveaux - training with the kids, some eyebrows were raised, and suspicions that the player had played his last game for the club seemed to gather pace, particularly when Remy Cabella - a similarly flair-based, small-framed player - was signed from Montpellier. The suggestion was that despite his team-mates coming back to the club in better condition than they left it, Ben Arfa had returned with some of the extra bulk that cruelly saw him dubbed Fatem Ben Arfa by some towards the end of last season. Now, according to Le Parisien, the club are not only attempting to fine the Frenchman for being 1.5kilos over weight - which he claims is muscle weight from his holiday - but also to force him out of the club entirely. The player will apparently not take part in his side's pre-season tour of New Zealand, like the World Cup contingent who have been given an extended rest, and the club are apparently actively attempting to ship him out. Though Ben Arfa has expressed his desire to stay and see out the last year of his contract, Newcastle have reportedly accepted an offer from an unnamed Ukrainian side, but Ben Arfa has so far failed to accept personal terms. Newcastle will be wary of losing the player on a free, even though he was signed for a comparatively bargain fee, but they face some opposition to their attempts to move him on, as Ben Arfa and his advisors know that he will be a more attractive prospect as a free. The wayward genius has had his fair share of ups and downs at Newcastle: his talent is not to be contested, but like some of the most technically breath-taking footballers in history, his commitment can leave a lot to be desired, and Alan Pardew seems to value industry over inspiration, particularly when it means a very good player will drift out of a game for 88 minutes, but change the game entirely for the remaining two. That system clearly does not suit Ben Arfa, who simply does not fit Pardew's ideal of a player who never stops running - something he praises regardless of the result, much to the chagrin of some Toon fans - and it seems to be a matter of time before he leaves the club.
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