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Rennes enter race with Newcastle to sign French playmaker

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Image for Rennes enter race with Newcastle to sign French playmaker

Newcastle United will be challenged by Ligue One side Rennes in their attempts to re-sign Hatem Ben Arfa, according to Tuttomercatoweb.

The Frenchman has been frozen out at current club PSG, and is expected to leave the French side at the earliest possible opportunity. The 30 year old was not even being allowed to train with the first team squad by manager Unai Emery and lawyers representing Ben Arfa have protested at his unfair treatment.

After leaving the Magpies permanently back in 2015, the midfield playmaker had somewhat of a renaissance at Nice. During the 2015/16 season, Ben Arfa scored 18 goals and provided six assists in 37 games. That led to his free transfer to Paris.

Things started to unravel very quickly in the French capital though. He played 34 games in all competitions last season but managed just five starts in the league. In the French Cup, where he was given starting opportunities, he scored three goals and contributed five assists in three games.

Emery effectively ostracised him from the squad in September, after Ben Arfa failed to secure a move away from the Parc des Princes in the summer. It seems almost certain he will depart when the January transfer window opens.

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