Nice reach agreement in principle with Hatem Ben Arfa

Hatem Ben Arfa is set to return to Ligue 1 as OGC Nice announced on Saturday that they've reached an agreement in principle with the controversial attacking midfielder.

Ben Arfa has been without a club following a troubled loan spell at Hull City, where he made eight Premier League appearances before reportedly returning to France to search for a new side amid a tense relationship with manager Steve Bruce.

Newcastle, who loaned Ben Arfa out to Hull during the summer transfer window, were apparently unwilling to reintegrate him into their squad, which should come as zero surprise given the reputation he developed of being a cancer within the club's dressing room.

At Nice, however, Ben Arfa will once again be given the chance to correct his career. Manager Claude Puel was the one who convinced the 27-year-old to join his side, and although the deal is still pending a medical, Ben Arfa took part in his first training session with the club on Saturday.