Lille boss Christophe Galtier has acknowledged he is set to lose star performers Victor Osimhen and Gabriel this summer, but has admitted he is open to the idea of extending his own stay at the club.
Lille finished fourth last season, thanks in large part to Osimhen's 13 goals in his debut campaign in France, and the defensive work of Gabriel, who progressed immensely under the tutelage of Jose Fonte.
The pair's performances in both Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League caught the eye, unsurprisingly, and a clutch of clubs around Europe are now set to battle for their services for next season.
"I accepted they're leaving some time ago," admitted Galtier in Friday's press conference. "We're working on the players here who can replace them in those positions and the future players who'll come in in those positions."
Along with full-back Jérémy Pied, experienced striker Loïc Rémy is likely to remain at the club when his contract expires at the end of June, and will compensate in some degree for the departure of Osimhen.
"I can confim there is a very, very, very good chance that Loïc and Jérémy stay with us," said Galtier, who saw former Marseille, Lyon and Nice man Rémy score seven times in 20 league games last season. "We want it, they want it, and I think they're very close to reaching a deal."
Galtier will also have ex-Paris Saint-Germain forward Timothy Weah, who was limited to just 84 minutes of league action by a thigh injury last season, and Turkey international Yusuf Yazici — out since the start of the year with a cruciate ligament injury — back to broaden his attacking options for the 2020-21 campaign.
The former AS Saint-Etienne boss' deal in northern France is due to run out at the end of the coming season, but Galtier hopes he can extend his stay at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, which started in December 2017.
"As usual, we'll sit down and chat with the president and Luis [Campos] in September," said Galtier, who saved the club from relegation in his first season and led them to second place in 2018-19. "I'm very happy here, I'm fulfilled."
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