The manager of Ligue 1 side Nice says Real Madrid are keeping tabs on France international Hatem Ben Arfa.
The 28-year-old winger has impressed for his club this season having joined from Newcastle. He has netted seven times in 18 games – something that the boss says hasn’t gone unnoticed by some of the bigger clubs in the European football.
“I am not surprised to hear that big clubs such as Real Madrid are keeping tabs on him. Hatem has become part of the club, just like Mathieu Bodmer when he joined us from PSG,” Puel said.
And he added: “I do not agree with those who say Hatem needs to be at a small club in order to deliver his best performances. I hope for him that he no longer plays for Nice next season. “The high level he has been playing at is not just some isolated dazzling performances. He has been very consistent and has been working very hard.”
Although there is nothing concrete to suggest Real may follow up any interest in the winger, who has played 13 times for Les Bleus, there could be a need for a left sided player at the Santiago Bernabeu should the relationship between Rafa Benitez and James Rodriguez deteriorate further. The Colombian has been linked with a move away from the Spanish capital, with Chelsea and Manchester United keen on his services.
