Joe Cole May Convince Lille to Offer Permanent French Stay, Says Michel Seydoux

Joe Cole’s stint in French soccer is going so well, the president of his current club is interested in making the move a permanent one. ESPN reports Lille president Michel Seydoux is considering lodging a transfer bid for the on-loan Liverpool playmaker.

“It is not a certainty that he will leave us again at the end his contract,” Seydoux said to French outlet RTL. “If he has a certain good feeling with Lille and we can make him an interesting offer … This is something that we will look into.”

Cole has flourished since joining Lille for a season-long loan in August. Lille manager Rudi Garcia uses him in a position that best suits his unique abilities. Deployed on the left and right side of a three-man attack, he’s scored three goals and made four assists in 16 games for the reigning French Champions. 

The England international and his family have comfortably settled in the cultured French city. He claims he would consider joining the team on a permanent basis of the three parties — Liverpool, Lille and Cole — come to an agreement.

Cole joined Liverpool in the summer of 2010, but could not reach his best form in his only season at Anfield. He made 32 appearances for the Reds last season, but decided to try his luck in France when he was not guaranteed a place in Liverpool’s starting 11.