Liverpool Eye Summer Move For French Midfielder

Despite the transfer window now being closed there will still be plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers, so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, Liverpool are linked with Hatem Ben Arfa.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is weighing up a summer move for Newcastle midfielder Haten Ben Arfa and may try and use Andy Carroll as bait to land him, according to the Guardian.

The report claims Rodgers is a huge admirer of the French internationals and will look to capitalise on the midfielders uncertain future at St James Park in the summer.

Ben Arfa made a permanent move to Newcastle from Marseille in 2011 and while he’s shown flashes of his brilliance at times, he’s seen his time on Tyneside hampered by injury. The 25-year-old is currently recovering from a hamstring injury and has been restricted to just 13 appearances this season.

However, the Guardian feel Rodgers has seen enough to persuade him to pursue a summer move for the winger but there is a concern that Newcastle’s valuation may be out of Liverpool’s reach. To get around this, the report claims the Merseysiders may use the Geordies interest in Andy Carroll to their advantage and use the striker as bait to strike a deal for Ben Arfa.

Carroll is on loan with West Ham until the end of the season and the Hammers have the option to make the move permanent in the summer, but the 24-year-old will have to return to Anfield if the Londoners decide against buying the player.

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If Brendan Rodgers refuses to give him another chance to prove himself at Liverpool, they will need to move him on so a part exchange deal involving Ben Arfa would make sense.

Would Liverpool fans like to see a Carroll-Ben Arfa swap deal? Get involved in the comments section below.