Ranking Newcastle's Transfer Dealings 2014-15 - Outgoings

2. Hatem Ben Arfa - Six-Month Loan (To Hull City) And Then Released (Free Agent But Has Now Signed For Nice)

Season Rating (While On Loan): 2 Success Of Sale Rating: 9 A mercurial talent, Hatem Ben Arfa could be unplayable and mesmerising at his best - but that is something the Toon faithful rarely saw during his four years on Tyneside. With the 13-cap French international having been forced to train with the reserves after falling out with Alan Pardew last summer, he was allowed to move to Hull City on loan on the final day of the summer transfer window. However, Steve Bruce could only get eight Premier League appearances from Ben Arfa before he became fed up with his attitude and asked to end the season-long loan prematurely in January. Newcastle did not want Ben Arfa to return, however, and they terminated his contract. The playmaker tried to sign for Nice, but he was unable to represent three clubs in a season, so he instead became a free agent - and made the move following the end of the campaign. Although Newcastle lost money on Ben Arfa, it was most definitely the right decision to get rid of him. He was a disruptive presence in the dressing room, didn't fulfil his potential often enough and he simply didn't apply himself at times. The Magpies are better off without him - even if he could produce the odd moment of magic.