Toulalan set for new Lyon deal

Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan looks set to commit his long-term future to the club.

The 27-year-old France international’s current deal is due to expire in June 2012, but he is keen to remain at the Stade Gerland.

He told Le Progres: “We should reach an agreement soon that will take me through to 2015.

“Both parties are keen to do a deal. The president (Jean-Michel Aulas) told me last year that he wanted to extend my contract and that we would discuss things after the World Cup.

“After everything that happened there, I decided it would be best to wait a while. Then the president came back to me looking to start negotiations, although I didn’t really want to sign an extension at a time when I wasn’t playing well.”

Toulalan, who has struggled for form this season after Les Bleus’ World Cup debacle in South Africa last summer, added: “Throughout the last six months, which have been difficult for me, the club has helped me a lot.

“They didn’t have to because I got myself into that situation. But they have been great to me, and both I and my family enjoy living here.”