Lazio join race for Ben Arfa

Italian giants Lazio have joined the chase for Nice hotshot Hatem Ben Arfa, Il Corriere dello Sport has revealed.

The Biancocelesti are hot on the trail of several high-profile footballers who will soon be out of contract, but their interest in Schalke striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar is likely to end due to the player’s high wage demands.

Lazio are currently looking at Ligue 1 star Hatem Ben Arfa, who is playing the best football of his career, and will be a free agent in the summer.

The problem is that quite a few top sides are keen on the France international, but the winger is seen as a great replacement for Antonio Candreva, who could be leaving at the end of the season.

Lazio officials are also keeping close tabs on Roman Neustadter, Mehmet Topal and Branislav Ivanovic.

When it comes to the man who should replace veteran Miroslav Klose, the latest reports suggest Southampton’s Graziano Pelle has been chosen as the number one target.