Even if nothing is officially signed, Hatem Ben Arfa is already hard at work in Lille. The 34-year-old attacking midfielder, without a club since leaving Bordeaux last May, trains alone while waiting to sign the documents. Especially watching the formalization of the loan with option to buy Yusuf Yazici at CSKA Moscow.
The former Newcastle, Hull City and Valladolid player should therefore wear the colors of his seventh club in France after Lyon, Marseille, Nice, PSG, Rennes and Bordeaux. “We had exchanged remotely last week, explained Jocelyn Gourvennec, the Lille coach, during a video press conference (he contracted Covid-19). We saw each other yesterday (Editor’s note: Monday). We are waiting for the green light. I hope it will be resolved very quickly so that he can join us. We manage it individually for the moment. As soon as this is resolved, he will be able to join the group. From what we have seen of him, he is done. »
Because a big question mark remains on the state of form of the tricolor international (15 selections, 2 goals) when he has not played an official match since May 2, 2021. “I will do the things in order, continued the northern coach. This is a subject that we can discuss when he has signed. I don’t want us to disperse and do things backwards. He has been individually checked, he looks good, I could answer this question when he has signed. We can talk about Hatem for as long as you want. (Editor’s note: after his signature). There will be plenty of topics to discuss concerning him but I still want us to focus on Lorient (Editor’s note: Wednesday evening in L 1). »
Losc is very active during this winter transfer window. Lille first registered the departure of Jonathan Ikoné to Fiorentina then completed the arrival of the Kosovo international right winger from FC Basel Edon Zhegrova. Young Mexican midfielder Eugenio Pizzuto has terminated his contract with the club by mutual agreement. Yves Dabila will return to Belgium until the end of the season in the form of a loan without an option to buy at RFC Seraing.
