Lyon coach Claude Puel has not ruled out strengthening his squad
this month - but insists he will not pay over the odds for players.
Club president Jean-Michel Aulas has told Puel he can bolster
his group if he so wishes, but the coach will only bring in fresh
blood if he feels he can get value for money.
"The transfer window looks difficult because there is no
question of paying three times what a player is worth," he said in
L'Equipe.
"We can be active if the prices are normal. Currently, they
are prohibitive."
Les Gones have been linked with moves for Robert Pires and
Mouhamadou Dabo.
Puel, whose side lie sixth in the Ligue 1 standings - 13
points behind leaders Bordeaux - over the winter break, is keeping
his cards close to his chest about Villarreal midfielder Pires but
ruled out an imminent swoop for St Etienne right-back Dabo.
"It's good to see that OL interests quite a lot of players
and can stir up hopes of players returning (to France) from
abroad," he said when asked about the former Arsenal man.
Of Dabo, he added: "It is a player we have followed, but ...
no, not now."
Lyon defender Cris, meanwhile, hinted he would like to see
Inter Milan's former France captain Patrick Vieira move to the
Stade Gerland.
With Jean Makoun away with Cameroon on African Nations Cup
duty this month, Cris said of Vieira: "His experience would be a
very important asset."
