Garcia wants more Cole

Lille manager Rudi Garcia has played down the possibility of keeping Liverpool loanee Joe Cole at the Ligue 1 club.

Earlier this week, the 30-year-old admitted he would prefer to stay with the French side rather than return to Anfield at the end of his loan spell.

And, while Garcia admitted the club would like to retain Cole’s services, he refused to reveal whether wages are proving to be a stumbling block to any proposed deal.

“It proves he is happy with us. We are happy with him. There has been no debate on the reciprocal desires. But this is not the time (to talk),” he said.

“We have a big objective, so we don’t waste our energy working on it (a permanent deal for Cole).

“What is certain is that everyone is under contract. There are special cases, and Joe is one because he is here on loan.”

Cole moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2010, after running down his contract at Chelsea, but had a season to forget with the Merseyside club.

At Lille, he has made 45 appearances and scored five times.