The transfer of Jean Michaël Seri to Barcelona will not be easy if Nice’s general manager was telling the truth when speaking to SPORT.

“We haven’t negotiated with Barça nor do I know of any negotiations lined up in the next few days. They’re just rumours, so we haven’t set a price for Seri,” Fournier said when asked whether L’Équipe was right that the fee would now be more than €40 million.

“I think the player will stay with us this season. It’s true that he is open to listening to offers but he’s also happy at Nice whether we qualify for the group stages of the Champions League or not,” Fournier added.

It must be remembered that Barça and Seri have agreed a contract in principle for the player to join Barça. But now the hard work begins, convincing Nice to sell a key player this late in the transfer window.