FrenchWilliam

Lyon wouldn't want him. When they shipped him and Benzema the chairman said something like 'I've sold two unmanageable players who've caused endless problems and got €50million' Don't think their fans were sorry to see them leave either.

Not so sure about that like.

Liverpool's nowhere near as big or popular in France as the likes of arsenal and chelsea. And with them not doing so well in Europe for the last year or two, they might not be draw you'd think.

http://www.lamarseillaise.fr/om/ben-arfa-vers-newcastle.html

There's been the same 'the older players did shit so lets select the next generation' outcry in France as there has in England. That plus Blanc is trying to put his stamp on the squad in his first few games in charge.

Not selected by Blanc for the ucoming internationals: La liste des 23 Gardiens : Carrasso, Lloris, Mandanda Défenseurs : Clichy, Sagna, Mexes, Trémoulinas, Rami, Sakho Milieux : Diaby, Malouda, M’Vila, A. Diarra, Menez, L. Diarra, Valbuena Attaquants : Benzema, Rémy, Gameiro, Saha, Hoarau

By the way, the 5% is a solidarity contribution, which would be 5% of the transfer fee, paid out to clubs that trained him before he turned 23. So Lyon I guess, and a couple of lower league French teams. Page 38 here: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/01/06/30/78/statusinhalt_en_122007.pdf

Pay the 5% of Fifa? No idea.. if anyone can translate it a bit better Depuis quelques jours, il est à Brême, le Werder ayant vendu Özil au Real et disposant désormais de liquidités. "Mais ils ne nous ont toujours pas envoyé d'offre, clame Jean-Claude Dassier; maintenant qu'ils sont qualifiés pour la Ligue des champions, il va falloir qu'ils se décident !" Cela devient d'autant plus urgent que Newcastle a enfin envoyé une offre acceptable à l'OM. "Ils proposent de lever l'option d'achat si Hatem joue 25 matches et payer les 5% de la FIFA. Nous allons y répondre. Ensuite, à Hatem de se mettre d'accord avec eux, ajoute le président de l'OM. Il faut qu'on en finisse au plus vite avec toute cette histoire." For the last few days it's been thought he's been going to Bremen, Werder having sold Ozil to Real and therefore having cash available, but "They still haven't made us an offer," claims Dassier "now that they've qualified for the CL they will have to make their mind up." Their decision has become more urgent now that Newcastle have finally made an offer which OM deem acceptable. "They have offered an automatic purchase if Hatem plays 25 games, [and will pay the 5% of FIFA]. We will respond. Then, it is down to Hatem to agree personal terms with them. We want this affair brought to an end quickly"

Even if we've had an offer accepted though, we still have to agree terms with the player, and all the rumours say that's unlikely cos he wants too much

Do we need him? Maybe if Taylor goes I guess.

Quotes from Laurent Blanc: http://www.laprovence.com/actu/region-en-direct/laurent-blanc-ben-arfa-selimine-de-lui-meme "I told Hatem the best way is to train to make sure he's physically ready. But then he took this radical decision. I'm not crazy, this is not the best way to prepare for an international game. Everyone will see the team I select tomorrow, but he has taken himself out of contention"

Says we sent an offer on tues, which was accepted.

Am sure I read that on the bbc live text during the first leg of their Young Boys game as well. Don't think it's right either.

Review of Tim Lovejoy's book - http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/145/29/

where? says its not on mine Might be outside the UK only. Soz It isn't listed at bet365 for me as well. And I am outside the UK... Aye just checked mine and it's not on, lying bastards at myp2p.eu

where? says its not on mine Might be outside the UK only. Soz

Just noticed this is being streamed on bet365

From one of the Opta statistics twitterers: "2.4 - Hatem Ben Arfa completed 2.4 dribbles per game, the most in the French league last season. Twinkle toes."

Reckon his da's got time to get a whinging diatribe in the evening edition of the chron?

The majority of bars you walk past will be showing it, you can't go wrong.

He was in England on Tuesday according to this article, apparently negotiating with Liverpool, but the deal will hinge on Mascherano movig to Barcelona: http://www.francefootball.fr/FF/breves2010/20100825_100213_ben-arfa-liverpool-ca-brule.html

Linked with Kenny Miller again: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/newcastle-poised-for-kenny-miller-bid-1.1050272

Maybe a case of putting a loan offer in assuming OM would pay his wages, so not bothering to ask/check.

Think that's a relatively reasonable article really. Compared to most of the absolute toss she writes at least.