Sensational claims from ex-Newcastle United attacker Hatem Ben Arfa who nearly QUIT due to transfer window frustrations

Having left Real Valladolid after a short, unsuccessful spell in La Liga, the supremely talented, if tempramental ex-France international forward, according to 10 Sport, came close to hanging up his boots, such was the lack of interest in signing the player.

Ben Arfa’s career has been full of ups and downs with the player struggling to consistently rekindle the form which saw him light up the Premier League between 2010 and 2015.

Following his Valladolid departure the 33-year-old had offers from Turkey, Russia and China, according to the report, but was staring retirement in the face before Jean-Louis Gasset’s call came to join Bordeaux.

“As soon as I saw that Jean-Louis Gasset was the coach, it made me want to come,” said Ben Arfa at his Girondins unveiling.

"I really like his philosophy as a man and a coach.

"Already on this point it will be a playing relationship. As a man, I got to know him in the French team. I felt good vibes, and for me he's still a coach with a lot of values.”

Ben Arfa is expected to make his Bordeaux debut this weekend when he travels to former club Marseille.

Since leaving United, Ben Arfa has played under Steve Bruce at Hull City on loan before a successful spell at Nice. Paris Saint-Germain was next for Ben Arfa before a spell with Rennes. The ex-United man started his career at Lyon.

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