Hatem Ben Arfa Faces Uncertain Future After Failed Nice Move
Hatem Ben Arfa’s hopes of reviving his career at OGC Nice have been dealt a blow after his move to the French club was blocked by football authorities. The midfielder, who had recently parted ways with Newcastle United, now finds himself in limbo — but a new opportunity may be emerging, albeit a complex one.
According to L’Équipe, Ben Arfa has received a lucrative offer from a club in China. However, the deal is reportedly complicated and may not materialise. Sources suggest the proposal is short-term and comes with significant administrative hurdles, making it difficult to finalise in the limited time available.
Ben Arfa joined Nice in January with the aim of restarting his career under the guidance of manager Claude Puel. However, FIFA regulations prevented him from registering with the club, as the 27-year-old had already appeared for both Newcastle and Hull City earlier in the season — the maximum allowed number of clubs a player can represent in competitive matches during a single campaign.
The ruling left Ben Arfa unable to play for Nice until the end of the season, prompting the club to terminate the deal.
While the Chinese offer presents a potential way forward, the complications involved may convince the former Marseille and Lyon player to wait until the summer before considering his next move.
Still only 27, Ben Arfa remains a player of considerable talent but one whose career has been hampered by inconsistency and off-field issues. Once considered one of France’s brightest prospects, his recent struggles have led to a series of short-lived spells across Europe.
For now, the French international appears to be weighing his options carefully, as he seeks both stability and a fresh start.
