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Younes Belhanda sets sights on permanent stay with Nice

Younes Belhanda has said he would love to extend his stay at Nice and believes there is "everything here to be successful."

Belhanda, who came to prominence as an integral part of Montpellier's 2011-12 Ligue 1 title win, joined on loan from Dynamo Kiev in the summer after a spell at Schalke last season.

The Morocco international has contributed three goals and as many assists in 20 Ligue 1 appearances, helping Lucien Favre's men mount a surprise title challenge.

And he told Nice-Matin he is keen to remain in the south of France on a permanent basis.

"I'm good here," he said. "The project is ambitions, the surroundings are beautiful, there's a new training centre going to be opened, we're in third place.

"There's everything here to be successful.

"They perhaps want to talk to Dynamo, but I don't know what stage they're at. There is a purchase option.

"The club has all the cards in hand. If they think I'm good, they'll take it up."