Ben Arfa Set for Qatar Move Amid Newcastle Fallout
French international Hatem Ben Arfa appears set to bring his Premier League journey to an end, with a transfer to Qatar reportedly on the horizon following a breakdown in relations with Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew.
According to BeIN Sports, the 27-year-old is close to finalising a move to a Qatari club, joining a growing list of high-profile players—such as Spanish legend Xavi—making the switch to the Gulf state. The move would mark a significant shift in direction for a player once hailed as one of France’s brightest talents.
Ben Arfa’s time at Newcastle has been marred by inconsistency and off-field issues, culminating in a falling-out with Pardew that has effectively ended his future at the club. Once seen as a creative spark in the Magpies’ midfield, his struggles with form and discipline have overshadowed moments of brilliance.
Speaking to Le Parisien, Karim Benzema—Ben Arfa’s former teammate and France’s hat-trick hero against Honduras in the 2014 World Cup—expressed regret over the playmaker’s stalled career.
“Hatem, if he had followed the path that was promised to him, today he would be playing in Barcelona with Messi. Technically, it’s the same,” said Benzema. “Afterwards, he has other problems. He has to work on his mind to not give up.”
The transfer, if completed, would likely mark the end of Ben Arfa’s ambitions to return to the French national team or to secure a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs. Once regarded as a future Ballon d’Or contender, the former Lyon and Marseille star had declared in 2013 his aim to rival Lionel Messi—a dream that now seems firmly out of reach.
Ben Arfa’s likely departure to Qatar at just 27 years old is seen by many as a surprising and premature conclusion to a career that promised so much. While the move may offer financial reward and a fresh start, it also signals a retreat from the European stage and competitive international football.
As the deal edges closer, fans and pundits alike are left to reflect on what might have been for a player once tipped to be among the best in the world.
