The attacker will not be returning to the south coast from Paris Saint-Germain, according to the club’s president

Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere insists Hatem Ben Arfa will not be returning to Nice from Paris Saint-Germain

Ben Arfa headed to the French capital from the south coast in July 2016, having scored 18 goals in 37 matches in his only season at the Allianz Riviera.

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But the former Lyon, Marseille and Newcastle United man made just five Ligue 1 starts for PSG in 2016-17 and has reportedly been told he can leave the club.

News of Ben Arfa’s availability sparked talk of a potential move back to Nice, but Rivere has maintained that the France international is not in his thoughts.

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And, speaking at the presentation of new signings Allan Saint-Maximin and Wesley Sneijder, the president reiterated his stance.

“I like him very much,” he said. “But as I’ve said before, it’s a subject that is closed.”