Leicester City boss Claude Puel has not ruled out the possibility of making a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa during the January transfer window.
Puel and Ben Arfa worked together at Nice before Puel left for Southampton, but the playmaker enjoyed one of the best spells of his career in the south of France.
The French international is out of favour at PSG, who would be happy to part ways with the 30-year-old, and Puel has acknowledged his admiration for his former player.
The 56-year-old is quoted by The Sun as saying: "Hatem is someone I appreciate equally as a player and a person. For me it's important right now to really get to know my squad, and then I can turn to the transfer window.
"The first thing for me is to look at the players I have, and to respect them, but then we will see. I don't have any concerns about Hatem's form.
"I have met him from time to time, and we have talked. I even played alongside him in a variety club charity game last month."
Ben Arfa has previously enjoyed a spell in English football with Newcastle United and Hull City, scoring a total of 14 goals in 95 appearances in all competitions.
Darren Plant
