LYON TARGET CANA AFTER VIEIRA HOPES FADE

FRENCH giants Lyon will switch their sights to Sunderland's Lorik Cana after admitting it will be difficult to sign Patrick Vieira.

The Inter Milan midfielder could be set for Manchester City, although Barcelona are also on his trail, as he bids to resurrect his World Cup hopes.

Roberto Mancini is keen to be reunited with the ex-Arsenal captain and City are hopeful of tying up a short-term move soon, although Barca will be formidable opponents in the market.

It means Lyon may need to look elsewhere for a new midfielder and they are considering a bid for Black Cats skipper Cana, realistically in the summer rather than during this window.

The Albanian's outstanding introduction to Premier League football has not gone unnoticed at Stade Gerland, who know all about his capabilties after his time with PSG and Marseille in Ligue 1.

Sunderland will not consider selling Cana, who has been an instant hit on Wearside, despite picking up a number of yellow and red cards.

The tenacious tackler is a firm favourite at the Stadium of Light and his £5million arrival in the summer has already proved to be a bargain.

"We talked about Vieira on Sunday," Lyon chairman Bernard Lacombe told RTL. "He is a huge player and we have had phone calls with him.

"We watched a lot of DVDs of him playing this season with Inter. The problem is we are not alone on that case.

"Patrick has contact with great clubs, notably Barcelona, who will lose Seydou Keita and Yaya Toure [to the African Nations Cup].

"Barca are thinking about him.

"Patrick is keen to join us, but we have to see. He wanted to know if we fully trusted him. However he can't play in the European Cup with us."

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