OGC Nice just completed a fairly successful season in Ligue 1. They failed to collect silverware, but the French club did, however, finish in a Champions League qualifying spot for the first time in their history. The qualification into the illustrious competition should help the club secure a contract extension with striker Mario Balotelli and also attract big talent to the French Riviera (as if players needed another reason to live there).

While making new signings is certainly a big priority, keeping their best players this summer could prove to be difficult. Pacy defender Dalbert Henrique could be the first vital Nice player to depart, as Inter Milan are reportedly nearing his signature. Another player, and perhaps the most important one on the entire Nice roster, that is attracting interest is Jean-Michael Seri. The central midfielder has reportedly gained attention from Barcelona, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur.

Seri has recently been compared to both Marco Verratti and N’Golo Kante, two exceptional players to be compared to; however, the pint-sized playmaker’s game is perhaps more similar to Miralem Pjanic and Santi Cazorla. Seri can make spectacular tackles like Verratti and Kante, but he is more of an offensive creator from central midfield.

Seri’s seven Ligue 1 goals are more than PSG star Angel Di Maria, and his nine assists are equal to Monaco’s Bernardo Silva, who just completed a £45 million deal to super-spending Manchester City. In fact, there was only one player in all of Ligue 1 to have at least 15 goals/assists and also complete more than 83% of their passes: Jean-Michael Seri. The marvelous midfielder not only completed that feat, but also averaged 2.2 key passes per game (fourth in the league) and 83 total passes per match (third best).

With Barca also reportedly interested in the aforementioned Verratti, the two north London clubs could duke it out for the Ivory Coast international.  Seri would also come much cheaper than the PSG star, as his release clause is said to be around £35 million.  Whether Seri goes to the red or white part of north London, or even another area, he would be a very welcomed addition to any club.