OPINION
West Ham United splashed the cash on an array of talent this summer, but so far, they have not lived up to the hype surrounding their transfers.
Even club record signing Felipe Anderson has not lived up to his price-tag, and that is undoubtedly a worrying prospect for boss Manuel Pellegrini.
However, it now looks like they have been dealt another bitter blow, as TVR report [as relayed by Talk Sport] that Hatem Ben Arfa looks to have opted for a switch to French side Rennes, a potential move that all but effectively rules out a return to the Premier League.
The Hammers were linked with a move for the attacker earlier this summer according to Foot 365 journalist Nizar Hanini, who became a free agent after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired in June.
Nouveau prétendant pour #BenArfa : #WestHam
— Nizar Hanini (@Nizar_Hanini) July 26, 2018
He failed to make a single appearance for the French giants at all last season, but he would have been an excellent addition to the West Ham squad.
The 31-year-old has previous top-flight experience with the likes of Newcastle United, where he spent five years playing, as well as a short stint with Hull City.
During his time at Newcastle, Ben Arfa was a geunine attacking threat – he used to damage teams with his technical ability, and was arguably one of their best players during his time there.
The fact that he has Premier League experience with them made him the ideal candidate to move to the Irons – Pellegrini would have utilised the experience he has in the league to full effect, and perhaps West Ham would not be in the position they are in now if they had signed him.
Some of Pellegrini’s current crop of players are new to playing in England, which could possibly why they have not fulfilled their potential just yet – and the Chilean will undoubtedly be left reeling that he is not going to join his side any time soon.
