Then manager Alan Pardew froze the Frenchman out at St James' Park, in a move that saw many of the Toon Army turning against the manager.
The 29-year-old, who was exiled to the reserves before leaving Newcastle in 2015, has been in positive form since joining Nice in January last year.
According to L'Equipe, Ben Arfa travelled to Barcelona on Sunday to meet with Barcelona representatives regarding a potential summer move.
The Frenchman will be a free agent at the end of the season.