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AC Milan are ready to give Newcastle’s French winger Hatem Ben Arfa a lifeline to revive his career, according to reports from Italy.
Ben Arfa joined the Magpies in 2010, but a combination of niggling injuries and poor performances has meant that the enigmatic genius has so far failed to become a regular in the Newcastle side, let alone live up to his potential.
The Frenchman started only 13 Premier League games for Newcastle last season and didn’t make the matchday squad for the final 4 games of the season
The 27-year-old might now have played his last game in a Newcastle shirt after falling out with manager Alan Pardew.
Pardew has been highly critical of Ben Arfa’s work rate and his desire last season and now it seems their relation has come to the point of no return.
The Frenchman’s desire was questioned time and again by his manager as the maverick winger failed to track back time and again, leading to more pressure on the man behind him. He also seemed to be out of shape for the majority of last season.
Things haven’t taken any turn for the good this off-season as the ex-Marseille man reported to training overweight (and was subsequently fined for it) and has now been designated to train with the reserves.
Ben Arfa was not part of the team that recently concluded their pre-season tour in New Zealand, and it has been reported that Newcastle are actively seeking a club to take the Frenchman off their hands.
On the other side, Milan and Paolo Inzaghi will take this as a low risk - high reward situation and give Ben Arfa a clean slate to kick start his career at the San Siro.
The talent is there for all to see, but the question remains that whether that talent can be harnessed and channelized to produce winning football rather simply showboating.
The Rossoneri have taken a similar approach with varying results when it comes to bringing in rebels looking for a fresh start in their last couple of seasons with Mario Balotelli and Adel Taarabt leading the line.
