As recent matches have indicated at Ibrox, Rangers are only wanting for a few positions. As we know, the club are in talks over Hearts’ Kyle Lafferty, and are equally working on some targets for centre back, but one position not really mentioned much in media circles has been the glaringly vacant attacking midfield.
Graham Dorrans had been mooted for selection there, but his long-term injury hell rules him out and Rangers have had to deploy Ovie Ejaria there instead, when the Liverpool loanee is more of a winger-cum number 10.
As such, Steven Gerrard, with his clout in the game, clearly has more of a lure than previous Rangers managers, and a significantly useful free agent who could do the club a turn if a wage structure can be agreed is former Newcastle and PSG playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa.
A 15-time France international, Arfa scored 17 goals in 34 appearances at Nice, during an especially productive time in his career in 2015-2016, and the 31-year old currently has a market value of roughly £6M having been as high as £10M.
Naturally the guy won’t be cheap – but unfortunately, a high-quality attacking midfielder like Stevie evidently wants is never going to be. The free agency helps – a world class player who hasn’t quite hit the potential in his career his talent deserved, and now he is a fine Bosman for anyone seeking a talented playmaker who can support attack.
Some have said he doesn’t work hard enough, and wouldn’t fit into Gerrard’s system as a result – but Rangers are painfully in need of a quality attacking midfielder who brings goals to the table too, and a player of Ben Arfa’s standing in the game could be the kind of marquee signing many have alluded to Gerrard making.
We will propose a few other recommendations in due course, but is this a signing anyone would want?
Couldnt afford his medical bills alone never mind his wages
Cracking player but could be a bit disruptive in the dressing room. Key to us just now is team spirit and togetherness. He’s not a team player.
Guy blows hot and cold, too much like a Windass for me
We can’t be buying players at £6M or anywhere near it right now. That would be mebtal. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves and carried away.
No no no !!!!! He would not fit either team wise or financially…We should be looking at Charlie Adam …would fit it knows the score …wouldnt be hard to deal with only for a couple of seasons
Cracking player when on form but too injury prone We already have a couple of injury prone players in Rossiter and Dorrans No thanks
Definitely Not!
He is a Difficult Team-Mate and Player to Manage.
He Thinks he can miss training and still get to play.
His Work Rate is Non Existent.
Hes Arrogant
Hes Ignorant
Doesnt get on with Team-Mates/Fighting
Hes Not a Team Player
His Injuries seem to be taking effect.
Inconsistent
Hes got the talent but isnt worth it with the Baggage.
Too expensive. Too old(no resale) Wages too high. Not enough work ethic, too many injury problems.
No on sooo many levels
Watched this guy play for newcastle….was not impressed,we certainly dont need him…
ALWAYS injured
Big Mouth
Wouldn't give Ben arfa SIXPENCE
Absolutely not. Expensive for poor return. Constantly injured, disruptive, poor work ethic. Let's not get too carried away here.
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