Piquionne desperate to join Lyon

Frederic Piquionne has confirmed his desire to quit St Etienne and join Lyon.

L'OM are keen to add a striker to their ranks during the January transfer window, with Piquionne Gerard Houllier's prime target.

However, St Etienne officials have stated that they are unwilling to sell the highly-rated striker.

Piquionne is disappointed with Les Verts' stance and has called on the club to allow him to move on and progress in his career.

"I am devastated," Piquionne told Le Progres. "I want to develop, to join Lyon, like people want to join Barcelona or Chelsea.

"That is the choice of a career and they waste my future.

"The directors have known my situation for a long time and I have never been unsettled.

"The door was open and they closed it in an inexplicable manner."

Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas is still not giving up hope of bringing Piquionne to the Stade Gerland this month.

Aulas has come out in support of the 28-year-old as he looks to leave St Etienne during the transfer window.

"We are living in a modern era during which players can say what they think," Aulas told AFP.

"A player wants to leave, a club propose to make a bid, we just need the club to agree to let him leave."