LYON - Lyon have confirmed their interest in Lassana Diarra - but admit they are unlikely to clinch the signing of the Arsenal midfielder.
Diarra has been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium after he spoke of his unhappiness at a lack of first-team opportunities since joining the Gunners in the summer.
Newcastle are believed to be preparing a move for the France international, and Lyon on Tuesday revealed they are also tracking the player.
But Bernard Lacombe, a special advisor to Les Gones president Jean-Michel Aulas, cannot envisage the player switching to the French champions.
"He is a player that interests us," said Lacombe on club website www.olweb.fr.
"But it would seem that Arsenal and (manager) Arsene Wenger do not want to let him go.
"As far as he (Diarra) is concerned, he does not seem to have a great desire to return to the French championship.
"If he leaves Arsenal, he will certainly stay in England."
Diarra, 22, started his career at Le Havre before moving to Chelsea in 2005.
After two years at Stamford Bridge, during which time he earned his first call-up to the France squad, he made the short move across London to Arsenal.
The midfielder, who can also fill in at right-back, should be part of Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech's squad for this summer's European Championships.
