player once we've completed negotiations.

"Negotiations with Monaco will be settled one way or another by next week as Eric has other proposals. We must be respectful to other clubs."

Abidal made his name as a world class defender at Lyon before moving to Camp Nou in 2007 and his agent accepted that a return to the Stade de Gerland

"Of course, because Eric Abidal is Lyon," he added. "His international career started through playing at Lyon.

"He has a great relationship with the club. There are talks with Lyon and his relationship with the club means there's a chance, but we're concentrating on Monaco at the moment as it's his first choice."

Ventidelli also dropped a major hint that incoming Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola was eyeing a move from Abidal but that the France international would prefer to play football back in his homeland.

"There are some clubs in Germany [that want to sign him]," he teased. "There's a close friend and coach who knows Eric well but, again, his preference is to return to France."