Hatem Ben Arfa close to Barcelona move '“ 16 months after being released by Newcastle

Hatem Ben Arfa is at Barcelona's training ground for advanced talks as a move to the La Liga club edges closer.

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.

Ben 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.