Southampton manager Claude Puel has expressed his interest in PSG's Hatem Ben Arfa.

The French playmaker has struggled to make an impact at Parc des Princes since joining from OGC Nice in the summer and has emerged on the radar of the Saints.

Ben Arfa scored 18 goals and provided six assists under Puel as Les Aiglons finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season, and although he would be a great addition at St Mary's this winter, the Southampton manager knows that the former Newcastle United and Hull City man is simply too expensive.

"Hatem is an exceptional player but, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he needs to feel important to fulfil his potential," said Puel.

"He is no longer a young player who you can ask to come on for the last 15 minutes to change a game.

"He is an established player capable of causing other teams problems but only if you accept his risky style of play and the extraordinary runs he attempts.

"We exchange text messages and he has told me he is hanging on at PSG, trying to do his best.

"Unfortunately he is out of our budget at Southampton."

Ben Arfa, who has started just four times in the league for Unai Emer, is believed to be on around £65,000 per week at PSG.