FC Barcelona in talks to sign Hatem Ben Arfa, confirms Nice president

Hatem Ben Arfa has been a revelation for OGC Nice

Nice winger, Hatem Ben Arfa, is currently in talks with FC Barcelona over a potential move this summer, confirmed the President of the club. The 29-year-old has been in incredible form this season after ending a disastrous spell with English Premier League side, Newcastle United. 

Ben Arfa took to Ligue 1 like a duck to water scoring 18 goals and assisting a further 5 in the span of the 36 games he's played catching the attention of Europe's elite who could use with a direct free-running winger in their teams. 

A move back to the Premier League seemed unlikely given his failed stint and with him being linked with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Wolfsburg and a host of La Liga sides, a decision was bound to be taken soon. 

Surprisingly, though, current La Liga leaders FC Barcelona showed interest in the 29-year-old winger. With no proper backups to the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in the club, it was about time the club went ahead and acquired a player who could 'play the Barcelona way' yet be deadly enough to adequately fill a void. 

Given his form this season, Ben Arfa seems like an ideal candidate. Speaking to the press, the President of Nice confirmed that the Catalans were interesting in signing the winger. 

"I would be very happy for him and for Nice if this move comes off," Jean Pierre Rivere, the president of Nice, told France 3. "You do not reject Barcelona, but it is up to him to decide.

"If I was a player and Barcelona was offered to me, I would not ask questions, I would go. But it is not yet done, according to what I am told."

 

Given that Arda Turan is facing a potential exit from the club and the likes of Sandro and Munir being sent out on loan, Barcelona will do well to sign the 29-year-old on a permanent basis. His burst of acceleration and goal-scoring ability will be of great help when the superstar trio of MSN fail to kick off.