Hatem Ben Arfa close to Barcelona move '“ 16 months after being released by Newcastle
Ben Arfa – who left Newcastle United in January last year by "mutual consent" – has been in sensational form for French club Nice this season after returning from an enforced six-month sabbatical from the game after a loan at Hull City was cut short.
The 29-year-old had been stopped from joining another club for the second half of last season by FIFA rules which prevent players from turning out for three clubs in a season.
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Hide AdBen Arfa fell foul of the rule as he had already played for United's Under-21s and loan club Hull.
L’Equipe report that Ben Arfa took a flight to Barcelona from Paris Orly Airport early today.
The France international – who held a first round of talks with the Nou Camp club earlier this month – is reportedly at Barcelona's training ground.
Ben Arfa, however, insisted at the weekend that he hadn't yet made a decision on his future.