Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas says that they want to keep their top stars.
Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas says that they want to keep most of their top stars and build for next season, but admitted Sidney Govou could leave.Aulas is bitterly disappointed with Lyon's UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of PSV Eindhoven, as he firmly thought they had enough to go even further.
"We were stronger than last season, but the qualification was made on elements we could not control," said Aulas.
"I am disappointed about the Champions League because we started it to win. We will start again to win. We were a little closer, but luck is very important.
"It is enraging because we had the potential to win the Champions League this year."
Aulas insisted that they did not want to break the squad up, but admitted skipper Sidney Govou was keen to leave.
Coach Paul Le Guen (pictured) has also been linked with an exit, and Aulas believes if he stays then the top players will want to remain with him.
"Today we will try to keep almost everyone and go on forward.
"Yesterday I read Sidney Govou is mentally keen to leave: it is duly noted.
"If some players leave, we will replace them and we will even try to find better talents. Today the Lyon fame is so important that a lot of players are attracted.
"We will hire two or three players at very specific posts.
"For the moment we have forecasted to hire without departures. If Paul Le Guen stays, I think several players will stay."
Lyon will not let Govou leaves for less than ‚é¼11 million, while they are in talks with Michael Essien over a new deal.
The French champions are thought to be keen on a number of big-name players, including Porto's Maniche, Auxerre's Bonaventure Kalou and Anderlecht's Aruna Dindane.
