Hatem Ben Arfa Set to Join OGC Nice After Newcastle Exit
OGC Nice has confirmed an agreement in principle with French international Hatem Ben Arfa, marking a significant move in the winter transfer window. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder, who recently terminated his contract with Premier League side Newcastle United, is expected to undergo a medical on Monday before finalizing the deal.
In a brief statement on its official website, the Ligue 1 club announced: “OGC Nice has reached an agreement in principle with Hatem Ben Arfa.” The signing, while not yet official, is seen as a coup for the Côte d’Azur side, given that the former Marseille and Lyon player had also drawn interest from Italian giants Juventus and a top-tier German club.
Ben Arfa, once considered one of France’s brightest talents, has had a career filled with dazzling moments and controversy alike. After spells in England with Newcastle and a brief, tumultuous loan to Hull City, the playmaker appears ready to restart his career in Ligue 1 — a league where he once shone brightly.
Nice, known for nurturing young and revival-seeking players, may prove an ideal environment for Ben Arfa to find his form again. If the move is completed as expected, the club will be hoping the former French international can quickly make an impact and help push the team up the Ligue 1 standings.
The coming days will see whether the medical clears and the final details are ironed out, but for now, Nice fans have reason to be optimistic about their new creative signing.
