• Premier League

Settled Ben Arfa ready to snub any big bids

ESPN staff
June 8, 2012
Hatem Ben Arfa is currently preparing for Euro 2012 with France © Getty Images
Enlarge

Newcastle United star Hatem Ben Arfa believes he will still be playing on Tyneside next season, and insists he would only consider leaving if he felt "100% confidence" from the coach of a "big club".

Ben Arfa, 25, sparkled for the Magpies in the second half of the 2011-12 campaign after initially struggling following his return from a double leg fracture.

The Frenchman's impressive displays caught the eye of Les Bleus coach Laurent Blanc and he was selected for his country's Euro 2012 squad.

It had been suggested that a good showing in Poland and Ukraine could see one of Europe's top clubs come knocking for Ben Arfa's services, but he says it would take an extremely convincing offer to tempt him away from St James' Park.

"If I do not have a really, really serious proposal, I'll stay," Ben Arfa told L'Equipe. "If a big club comes, but does not propose something interesting - that is to say, the coach really wants me - I'll stay.

"If I do not feel the confidence of the [interested club's] coach 100%, I will not leave. I still have three-year contract. But I know it can go fast."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close