Premier League champions Leicester City have entered the race to sign France international Hatem Ben Arfa, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas believes.
Ben Arfa, 29, is in high demand after getting 17 league goals and six assists to help Nice finish fourth in Ligue 1.
This week Lyon, Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla were confirmed as the favourites to sign the player after Nice admitted that they had given up hope of persuading him to sign a new contract.
Ben Arfa is now a free agent and Aulas revealed that Lyon could face fresh competition in their bid to sign the former Newcastle attacker.
"Hatem Ben Arfa est proche de notre envie, de nos supporters. Je pense que Leicester le veut également."@JM_Aulas sur Canal+ Sport
- Canal Football Club (@CanalFootClub) June 28, 2016
"With Ben Arfa it's a question of passion," Aulas said during an interview with Canal Plus on Tuesday. "He's close to our desire, our enthusiasm, our supporters.
"I really believe that he wants to come to Lyon. If he doesn't come, it would be for reasons that have nothing to do with passion.
"I think it's towards Leicester that things are happening. That's what people who spoke to him on the telephone this afternoon have told me."