Barcelona want to sign Liverpool and Chelsea target Hatem Ben Arfa in the summer as backup to their current attacking trio, according to French sports daily L’Equipe.
The Nice attacking midfielder has been in fine form in the present campaign, scoring 18 goals and providing five assists in 35 appearances in all competitions.
Ben Arfa, whose present contract with Nice is set to expire in the summer, has been heavily linked with a move away from the club after the end of the present campaign, with Liverpool, Chelsea and AC Milan all interested in snapping him up.
But now it seems Barcelona have also entered the race to sign the France international, who has been on the radar of Bayern Munich as well.
After pondering signing Ben Arfa’s compatriots Kevin Gameiro and Alexandre Lacazette, Barcelona have zeroed in on the 29-year-old to act as a back-up to the attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
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The Catalan giants are now thought to be in pole position to win the race for the former Newcastle man's signature.
Ben Arfa, who counts Lyon, Marseille and Newcastle United amongst his former employers, also has 15 caps and two goals for France to his name.
