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Hatem Ben Arfa Set To Leave Marseille After Altercation With Didier Deschamps - Report

Ben Arfa's time in Marseille appears to be coming to an end, but there is Europe-wide interest in his services...

Nov 18, 2009 9:05:27 AM

Ligue 1 : Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille) vs Fabrice Abriel (Lorient)

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Ligue 1 : Hatem Ben Arfa (Marseille) vs Fabrice Abriel (Lorient)

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Enigmatic young attacker Hatem Ben Arfa is set to leave Olympique de Marseille after a bust-up with coach Didier Deschamps on Tuesday.

Europe 1 reported that the Olympique Lyonnais youth product aimed angry words at the former Juventus boss, accusing him of “breaking his balls”.

Signed from Lyon for the princely sum of €12 million in the summer of 2008, Ben Arfa has failed to live up to expectations in the port city, only briefly producing flashes of the brilliance he is capable of.

Under Eric Gerets, he was frequently given an opportunity to shine, but Deschamps’ reign has brought with it limited first team chances – a situation that is clearly frustrating the 22-year-old France international.

“I could help, I can help, but it is he who holds the key,” Deschamps explained to L’Equipe.

“I know that at any moment he can eliminate four opponents and make a decisive action, but football is not just about that. There are also requirements with and without the ball, regularity and repetition. He has talent but he expresses it sparingly.”

Sporting director Jose Anigo stated, “The coach has our full support. Hatem slides again. That does not mean anything any more.”

Ben Arfa has cut a controversial figure at the Provence club in recent weeks, missing a training session in October, much to the chagrin of the outfit’s hierarchy.

Despite his rather mercurial reputation, there are a number of suitors prepared to gamble on the youngster. According to La Provence, Lille and Stuttgart are interested, though RMC suggest there is interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, Sevilla and Valencia.

Robin Bairner, Goal.com

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