Barcelona have joined Liverpool in the hunt for Nice midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa, according to France Football magazine. The 29 year old was also linked with the Reds by RMC Sport last month when it was believed the Merseyside club had held contract talks with the player.
Ben Arfa’s contract at Nice expires at the end of the season and he is free to talk to any club about a transfer. The French international has had a renaissance in France this season scoring 18 goals in 35 appearances in Ligue One. He was released by Newcastle last January after a failed loan spell at Hull City but he was ineligible to play for Nice in the second half of last campaign because of rules that say a player can only play for two clubs in a season.
France Football have said Barca have already made contact with Ben Arfa’s representatives as they look to bolster a squad which has been criticized for its lack of depth after a drop in form in recent weeks.
