Lyon Midfielder Reveals Contact With Liverpool and Arsenal

Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier insists he does not regret his decision to ignore the advances of Liverpool and Arsenal during the summer.

The France international seemed to be on the brink of leaving the French club during the summer as he entered the last 12 months of his contract with the club beset by financial difficulties off the pitch.

Arsenal were keen on the 22-year-old with the club's chief scout Giles Grimandi a frequent visitor to the Stade Gerland. But despite receiving an offer from the Gunners, Lyon opted to hold onto the midfielder and their faith in the player was rewarded when he signed a new two-year contract in July.

Having also ignored interest from the red half of Merseyside, Grenier remains content with life at Lyon for the time being.

When quizzed on the interest from the Premier League duo, Grenier told Foot Mercato: "There was contact. After that, it remains personal. I am in Lyon, I'm glad to be here, for the rest, we will see later. My goal is to be efficient as possible with OL, to fulfill the objectives of the club as well as my personal goals. For now, I am focused on Olympique Lyonnais.

"When major European clubs come to Gerland to watch you, it's very flattering. Lyon remain one of the biggest clubs in Europe over the last decade, we must not forget. Lyon is still one of the larger French teams, sure, but also European. We are in the transition years, the new stadium will happen, Lyon can become the biggest French club."

Having sanctioned the departures of high earners such as Lisandro Lopez, Michel Bastos and Anthony Reveillere in addition to selling Dejan Lovren to Southampton, Lyon were able to retain the services of Grenier despite there being no shortage of suitors.

Lyon have endured an indifferent first half of the season, sitting 10<sup>th in the French top flight, already 17 points behind Paris Saint Germain.