Lyon vying with PSG for Clement

Paul Le Guen is keen to take Clement back to France

Lyon manager Gerard Houllier has joined former Rangers boss Paul Le Guen in the chase to sign unhappy Ibrox midfielder Jeremy Clement.

The 22-year-old left Lyon to become one of Le Guen's first signings for Rangers in the summer.

Former Liverpool boss Houllier said: "Is Jeremy Clement still happening? The answer is yes, but we are in competition with another great club."

But Clement has been quoted as saying he wants to rejoin Le Guen.

Despite that, Houllier remains hopeful the player could return to Lyon, the dominant team domestically in France.

"It is a fact, I would really like to have him back here and I think it is fair to say he would prefer to come to Lyon rather than go to Paris," he said.

I made it clear to everyone I wanted to carry on working with Paul at PSG Jeremy Clement

Clement, who has been offered similar packages by Lyon and PSG, said: "I came to Rangers because I wanted to work with Paul and believed he could achieve things at Rangers.

"But, with him gone, it's back to the situation beforehand where the SPL just isn't rated in France.

"I obviously have ambitions to play for my country, but I wouldn't achieve them by staying on in Scotland.

"That's why I asked the club's management to let me go. They agreed it was probably best for all concerned.

"I was flattered there was interest from other clubs, including Lyon.

"But I made it clear to everyone I wanted to carry on working with Paul at PSG."

Le Guen had earlier admitted that he wanted to sign 22-year-old Clement.

"It's true that we're interested," said Le Guen. "I had him at Lyon, I had him at Glasgow.

"He is a young player, with experience both abroad and at a big club like Lyon.

"He is a left-sided player who can bring us new possibilities.

"It isn't the only option because we know it won't be easy, but he is one."

Rangers manager Walter Smith said last week that there had been no bids for Clement.

Smith said no players would be allowed to leave the club unless suitable replacements were found.

But, with a busy time looming for potential transfers, Smith may yet grant Clement his wish to move.