Chelsea FC news: Blues join Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Nice playmaker Hatem Ben Arfa

Chelsea have joined Liverpool in the race for former Newcastle United flop Hatem Ben Arfa.

The playmaker left St. James' Park in January 2015, but he has been a huge success for Nice this season.

The Frenchman has 17 goals to his name and he has earned a recall to the France squad ahead of Euro 2016.

Liverpool are interested in Ben Arfa but, according to L'Equipe, they now face competition from Chelsea.

Both clubs have been alerted to the fact that the 29-year-old is available for free in the summer, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.

However, Chelsea and Liverpool are likely to also face strong competition from Paris Saint-Germain.