Hatem Ben Arfa, the former Newcastle United forward, is being pursued by Chelsea as the west London club looks to challenge for the Premier League title next season.
Ben Arfa, who spent five seasons playing in the northeast of England, has been shortlisted for the French Player of the Year award after impressing with 17 goals in Ligue 1 for Nice.
He is up for the award alongside Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, former Manchester United player Angel Di Maria, and former Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra.
The 29-year-old striker is on a list of players who Antonio Conte, the incoming manager, wants Chelsea to sign, according to The Times.
Conte is also believed to want Leonardo Bonucci, the Juventus defender, and 18-year-old Ousmane Dembele, of Rennes, brought to the club, as well as Roma's Radja Nainggolan.
Nainggolan is reported to have met with Conte this week to finalize a £31 million ($45 million) deal to take him to Chelsea from Roma.
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