Lille aim to keep stars

Lille coach Rudi Garcia cannot fathom selling both Eden Hazard and Gervinho in the off-season, saying it would be a ‘nightmare’.

Belgium midfielder Hazard and Ivory Coast forward Gervinho were integral to Lille’s 2010/11 Ligue 1 campaign, one that saw the club win their first league title in 57 years.

Both players have attracted the attention of a number of top clubs across Europe, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid among those reportedly preparing to make offers when the transfer window opens next month.

But Garcia has played down fears from Lille fans that their title defence could be scuttled by the club cashing in, saying he and club chairman Michel Seydoux are of the opinion that it was be a disaster to lose both star players.

“In my honest opinion, I want to keep those two boys,” Garcia said.

“With them fit and with a good attitude we can cause a surprise in Europe and do very well in the league.”

“Hazard should stay, for me. He will learn more and improve again. In an ideal world, Gervinho would do the same with a new contract because he has one year left.”

“The chairman and I are of the same mind, we should keep the two. We can accept one leaving, but not the two. It would be a nightmare for us.”