The news from The Journal, who report that Hatem Ben Arfa will almost certainly be sold in the summer after a major falling out with manager Alan Pardew, is something we knew WEEKS ago!
We just needed it confirmed.
The Journal reports that Pardew has decided to give up the ghost with his inconsistent midfielder ... but we hear rumours that the French players (or most of them) have had enough of their inconsistent manager!
Ben Arfa has struggled for form this season and was singled out for criticism by Pardew after the side’s recent 4-0 defeat to Tottenham as he gave a lacklustre display.
But the French players, most of which joined the club on Yohan Cabaye's recommendation, still haven't got over Cabaye leaving for Paris Saint-Germain during the recent transfer window.
Sylvain Marveaux is banished to training with the kids, Loic Remy is heading elsewhere after his loan deal, and Mathieu Debuchy says this morning he will look to leave in the summer.
Romain Amalfitano is out on loan and obviously not good enough for the Premier League, and what about Olivier Kemen and Kevin Mbabu?
Are they any different?
A possible destination for 26-year-old Ben Arfa appears to be Inter Milan with the San Siro club planning a summer move for the former Marseille schemer.
Pardew will want to recoup at least £5 million for his mercurial talent who cost £7m in total (including his loan fee), and Debuchy (who cost £5.5 million) will probably bring in the same.