Lyon keen on United pair

Perrin confirms interest in Heinze and Silvestre

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 22nd August 2007

Silvestre Mikael

Silvestre: Wanted by Lyon

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Lyon have confirmed they are considering moves for Manchester United duo Mikael Silvestre and Gabriel Heinze.

The French champions are desperate to fill the void left by Cris, the Brazilian centre-back who has been ruled out for six months with a knee injury.

Heinze's future remains uncertain after a Premier League tribunal ruled that he would not be allowed to move to Liverpool.

The Argentine has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and United would not stand in the way of him moving overseas.

Lyon have been linked with Heinze and coach Alain Perrin has now admitted he would be an ideal acquisition.

"We are waiting for a response about Gabriel Heinze," said Perrin.

"He really has the profile of the player we are looking for."

Like Heinze, Silvestre is no longer a first-choice starter at United and there has been speculation about his future.

Perrin commented: "His agent has made a discreet appeal to us.

"Mikael has the advantage of being a versatile left-footer as well. We must now see the conditions in which he could come."

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Lyon could face competition for Heinze's signature, with reports in Spain suggesting Real Madrid are interested in the left-back.

Bernd Schuster's side are understood to want Heinze on a three-year deal and are willing to pay 12million euros (£8.1million) to secure his services.