Lyon could end Vieira pursuit
Former French champions Lyon could end their pursuit of Inter Milan midfielder Patrick Vieira, a situation that could pave the way for the Frenchman's move to England.
Vieira, who has had a shaky past three seasons at Inter Milan, is desperate to play for France and is looking to play regular first team football in a bid to star at the 2010 World Cup.
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini said Monday he was interested in taking the former Arsenal midfielder on loan till the end of the season.
Lyon meanwhile appear as yet unconvinced about what Vieira, who moved to Juventus, then to Inter, after a hugely successful spell at Arsenal, could bring to their campaign - especially as he is Champions League-tied.
"We've talked about (signing) Patrick, we've discussed him with the coach and we've gone over recent footage and that kind of stuff," Bernard Lacombe, who advises Lyon's club president Jean-Michel Aulas, told RTL radio on Monday.
"For the moment we're a little hesitant."
Lacombe added: "He's a great player and someone we would like to sign, but it's a bit troublesome because first of all he can't play in the Champions League and also because we're not the only one interested in him.
"He's an interesting choice for us but we also have (midfielder, Maxime) Gonalons who is steadily making a name for himself and we don't want to close down his chances either."
Vieira has not played with France since a friendly in June 2009.
Mancini refused to confirm or deny the speculation surrounding Vieira on Monday.
Comments