Hatem Ben Arfa set for Barcelona move this summer

Well, this is undoubtedly the surprising transfer story of the day.

Not just for the player and club linked together, but also for how apparently serious and advanced it is.

Hatem Ben Arfa will ‘very probably’ join Barcelona this summer, according to French paper L’Equipe today.

L’Equipe claim that the Catalan giants have been tracking Ben Arfa for months, and that their move for the mercurial playmaker are ‘well advanced.’

The former Newcastle and Hull man was touted as a future Ballon D’Or winner when he came through the ranks at Lyon, but temperament and fitness issues have always held his career back.

Having rediscovered his mojo at Ligue 1 side Nice this season, the 29-year-old could be set for a dream move to Barcelona.

With his contract up this summer, Ben Arfa can be signed for free by Barcelona, and while he is an unpredictable player, his skills could undoubtedly light up the Camp Nou for a couple of years.