Lille manager Rudi Garcia has admitted that the club would like to retain the services of Joe Cole next season.

Cole has been on loan at the French outfit from Liverpool this season but has confessed his interest in staying there on a permanent basis.

The former England winger has returned to Anfield following the conclusion of the Ligue 1 campaign, but Garcia is hopeful that a deal can be reached to bring him back to France.

"From a sporting angle we would like to keep him, but he does not belong to us and he has not discussed matters with Liverpool," he said.

"It is a very fluid situation. The only certainty for the moment is that he is returning to Liverpool, the club to which he belongs."

Cole has also been linked with a move to newly-promoted Reading as well as a return to old club West Ham United.