Ben Arfa fell of favour at Newcastle last season and Mike Ashley tried to cash in him by putting him up for sale because he is out of contract at St James’s Park in the summer.
The clubs expected to make a bid - Arsenal and Liverpool - never did!
Arsene Wenger, a long time fan of the Frenchman, was not impressed at the 27-year-olds attitude when he fell out with Alan Pardew.
It was a very uneasy public fall out and that did the player no good.
Asked about reports of a bust-up, Bruce said Ben Arfa needed to “roll up his sleeves and work for the cause”.
Ben Arfa responded to speculation over his relationship with Bruce on Instagram.
Hatem Ben Arfa: “I just wanted to clarify my situation.
“I have no problem with my coach (Bruce). This is someone that I love that I respect and I admire!”
Will he come back to Newcastle in the January transfer window?
I think he will.
Then what? Will he knuckled down and try and win a new deal with Newcastle ... or is that long gone?
I can see him returning, seeing out his contract that ends in June, and head back to France.
What a waste of an amazing talent.