Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has claimed that his club could still sign Hatem Ben Arfa after using a news conference to read out a text message the attacker supposedly sent to him.
Ben Arfa, 29, is one of the most sought-after players in Europe this summer as he will become a free agent on July 1 after his contract with Nice expires. He scored 17 Ligue 1 goals and provided six assists last season as his club just missed out on a place in the Europa League.
Nice first revealed that Barcelona were interested in Ben Arfa, but it now seems that the France international -- who narrowly missed out on a place in Didier Deschamps squad for Euro 2016 -- will choose between Lyon, Paris Saint-Germain and Sevilla.
Both L'Equipe and Le Parisien have reported in recent days that Europa League winners Sevilla are the frontrunners. But Aulas is still confident that the former Newcastle player will return to his first professional club.
Speaking on Tuesday as Lyon unveiled another new signing, Polish international left back Maciej Rybus from Terek Grozny, Aulas caught the media off guard by announcing that he could give a fresh update on Ben Arfa.
"I'm in the process of searching for my phone as I've just got a text message this instant from Hatem Ben Arfa," Aulas said as he rummage through his coat pockets. "I've always played the game [with the media] and I think it's five minutes old.
"I haven't had time to read it. We'll take note of it at the same time -- that way there'll be no problem."
Aulas then read aloud from his phone the message that Ben Arfa had apparently sent him: "Hello president, like I said to you my sporting choices are Paris, Sevilla and Lyon. I've given my sporting agreement to the three clubs. At the moment, my agents are finishing negotiations. And we're expecting a possible agreement with you."
The Lyon president also maintained on Tuesday that his club would not be selling midfielder Corentin Tolisso to Napoli.
Meanwhile, PSG have told Aulas to mind his own business after the Lyon president said he was "dismayed" by the reported severance package to be paid to the French champions' coach, Laurent Blanc, who is set to depart the Parc des Princes.