Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere has confirmed thatBarcelona want to sign Hatem Ben Arfa at the end of
the season.
Ben Arfa, 29, is out of contract this summer and
L'Equipe reported on Friday that the former Newcastle
attacker was in advanced negotiations with the
Spanish league leaders.
Responding to that report, Rivere, 58, acknowledged
that the Catalans were in contact with Ben Arfa but
said that the deal is not quite done.
"Barcelona are indeed one of the numerous clubs who
have asked for Hatem," he told France 3. "Frankly if it
could happen I would be very, very happy for Hatem,
who deserves to go to a club like Barca.
"You don't refuse a club like Barca, in my opinion, but
it's his decision.
"If I was a player, I wouldn't ask any questions, I'd go
to Barca. I would be very happy if it happens and
we're very happy for the club as well because it shows
that at Nice we're capable of sometimes having
exceptional players.
"But it's not yet done, according to what Hatem has
told me. They're still in discussions."
Ben Arfa has returned to form in spectacular style this
season, scoring 17 goals and making five more to help
Nice to fifth in Ligue 1 with two matches to play. He's
also been nominated for the league's player of the
year award.
L'Equipe reports Barcelona are planning to sign him to
provide back-up for their front trio of Lionel Messi, Luis
Suarez and Neymar.
Last week the same paper had suggested that the
Spanish champions had also considered Lyon's
Alexandre Lacazette for the role. However, it is
thought that Lacazette, 24, did not want to move if it
meant he risked being a substitute more often than
not.
Ben Arfa had wanted to sign for Nice in January 2015
but instead he spent the second half of last season
without a club. Having spent a spell on loan at Hull, a
reserve team outing for Newcastle meant he fell foul
of FIFA rules that prevent someone from playing for
three different teams in one season.
He eventually joined Nice last summer and his
impressive performances earned him a recall to the
France squad in November.
Ben Arfa is now set to play his final home game for
Nice on Saturday as they face a crucial test against
fourth-placed Saint-Etienne.