Lorient boss Christian Gourcuff admits he is keen to keep Francis Coquelin and Gilles Sunu at the club.
French outfit hoping Coquelin and Sunu will return next season
Lorient boss Christian Gourcuff admits he is keen to keep Francis Coquelin and Gilles Sunu at the club.
The pair are currently taking in loan spells with the Ligue 1 outfit, having struggled to force their way into Arsene Wenger's plans at Arsenal.
The France U19 international team-mates have enjoyed mixed fortunes during their time back in their homeland, with a lack of fitness having held them back at the start.
Coquelin has been able to prove himself and become a first-team regular since then, but Sunu has often been forced to make do with a place on the bench.
Both men are seen as hot prospects for the future, though, and Gourcuff admits he would welcome the opportunity to bring the duo back to Lorient in 2011/12.
Strategy
"Loans are the best strategy for poor clubs," he said in
L'Equipe.
"One year is not always enough. We will talk with Arsenal officials, but it is too early to say what will happen.
"We also have to find out what the players want to do."
Coquelin has revealed that he would be willing to consider a return next season.
He said: "I knew I would get chances at Lorient. I had a difficult start because I wasn't fit but I kept believing and working hard.
"Could I stay for next season? It is not impossible."
Competition
Sunu has also hinted that he could be lured back, with Lorient set to part with star striker Kevin Gameiro over the summer.
"I knew it would be difficult here," he said.
"But I am part of the squad and I am still in the manager's thoughts.
"I am happy because I am in competition with Kevin Gameiro and Morgan Amalfitano, two of the best forwards in Le Championnat."
