Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Hatem Ben Arfa and Riyad Mahrez Rumours

Nice star Hatem Ben Arfa is reportedly set to look around Barcelona's training centre on Monday ahead of a potential move to the club next season.

The report comes from L’Equipe (h/t Get French Football News), which suggested talks between the parties about a transfer are now advanced:

“The 29-year-old was spotted in Orly airport, south of Paris, boarding a Vueling flight to the Catalan capital,” according to L'Equipe (h/t AS).

Nice’s president Jean-Pierre Rivere told France 3 (h/t Richard Morgan of Sky Sports) that talks had begun between the player and the Catalan giants about a surprise move, stating he “would be very happy for him and for Nice if this move comes off.” The France international is out of contract at the end of the season.

However, Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas has claimed the player has not yet made a decision and compared his situation to that of forward Alexandre Lacazette, per radio show Club Liza (h/t Mark Rodden of ESPN FC):

"

I had an exchange with Hatem yesterday [Saturday]. Hatem has not made a definitive decision.

I think that like with Alexandre at a certain point, he realises that it's prestigious and wonderful to go to Barca. On the other hand, entering into competition with the three superstars, is it a good thing when you're coming to the end of your career and when you really want to have an extraordinary season?

"

It’d be a remarkable transfer given just how low Ben Arfa’s career had sunk not too long ago. After toiling on loan at Hull City last season, he was without a club for long spells of 2015. Nice snapped him up, and the results have been spectacular:

The natural talent has always been there when it comes to Ben Arfa. During his time with Lyon, Marseille and Newcastle United, there were always glimpses of genius, although this mercurial streak was enmeshed with a lack of discipline and work rate.

VALERY HACHE/Getty Images

Nice have allowed him freedom in their setup, and they’ve reaped the rewards, with 17 goals and five assists netted by the wide player. Based on his exploits this season alone, which have seen Ben Arfa force his way back into the France squad, it’s no surprise the likes of Barcelona are interested in landing him.

BT Sport’s Julien Laurens provided further details about this possible move and why it’d be a positive one for the player:

From Barcelona’s perspective, it’s a risk-free deal: Ben Arfa is a free agent, they already have great attacking talent, and if things don’t quite go to plan, it’d be easy to move the Frenchman on. The 29-year-old would surely be hungry to take such an incredible opportunity too.

Of course, Ben Arfa deserves huge credit for the season he’s had and the way he’s turned things around. Thriving at Barcelona is an entirely different challenge, though.

Arsenal Set to Launch Riyad Mahrez Offer

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

According to France Football, Arsenal have been in talks with Leicester City about a move for star winger Riyad Mahrez, who is also a reported target for Barcelona.

Get French Football News outlined the key parts of the report, including which teams are chasing the PFA Player of the Year:

It’s also suggested Leicester have “yet to receive a single formal offer” for their star man when it comes to a summer transfer. Mahrez was arguably the key component in his team’s remarkable title win this season, turning in a succession of dazzling displays on the flanks for the Foxes.

The man himself has suggested he’ll be staying at the King Power Stadium. “Yeah,” was his response when quizzed whether he’d remain a Foxes player, per James Nursey of the Daily Mirror. “I am very happy, I was very proud to have this trophy—some things are amazing.”

ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images

Technically, the quality is there for Mahrez to be a Barcelona player. His touch, dribbling ability and eye for a pass would see him fit right in at the Camp Nou. Stylistically, there are definite similarities between the Algerian and Ben Arfa.

Here is a look at how the duo compare in league matches this season:

	Mahrez	Ben Arfa
Apps (Sub)	35 (1)	32 (1)
Goals	17	17
Assists	11	5
Shots per game	2.4	2.7
Dribbles per game	1.8	0.9
Key passes per game	3.4	4.3

While the allure of Barcelona is obvious, especially for an attacking player, for Mahrez it arguably wouldn’t be the right move. While Ben Arfa may be content in a supporting role, the 25-year-old Leicester man is in the best years of his career and will want to be featuring every week.

For the time being at least, Leicester is surely the best place for Mahrez to continue his development. Manager Claudio Ranieri has helped improve him this season, and while he may have ambitions to play for a grander club further down the line, with UEFA Champions League football at the King Power next season, there are exciting times ahead for the Foxes.