Lyon have received contact from Marseille about the possible transfer of Hatem Ben Arfa.
Lyon receive contact from Ligue 1 rivals
Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has received contact from Marseille about the possible transfer of Hatem Ben Arfa.
The 21-year-old French international did not play a single minute of Saturday's Coupe de France victory over Paris Saint Germain and he is keen to secure more first-team football next season.
Highly-rated Ben Arfa is reportedly a target of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, but Aulas has confirmed talks with Marseille chairman Pape Diouf.
"On Sunday, I saw a lot of despair in Hatem Ben Arfa's eyes," Aulas told
L'Equipe.
Pjanic interest
"We talked with Pape Diouf last week.
"If they (Marseille) are able to bid at the same level as other clubs, there won't be any trouble.
"It is between 15 and 20million Euros (£12 to £17m)."
Meanwhile, Aulas has also revealed that Lyon are close to signing Metz midfielder Miralem Pjanic and Nice goalkeeper Hugo Lloris as they bid to build a side capable of challenging for next season's UEFA Champions League.
Lloris move
"A very young and very great player (Pjanic) will join us," added Aulas. "We have found an agreement with him and Metz.
"Lloris could also replace Gregory Coupet. I hope we will sort it out in the coming days. You never know what can happen, but I am optimistic.
"We said when we won the Coupe de France that we will build a team to win the Champions League.
"For the very first time, I believe our priority is to build a team capable of a very good Champions League campaign."
