National technical director Gerard Houllier has urged promising French youngsters Samir Nasri, Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa to resist the lure of foreign clubs and stay in France.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is known to be interested in Lyon pair Benzema, 20, and Ben Arfa, 21, while Real Madrid have been linked with 20-year-old Marseille playmaker Nasri.
Houllier believes the trio, who will represent France in Euro 2008 this summer, should stay at home.
“For those three players, it would be an error to leave for abroad now,” Houllier told L’Equipe.
“Nasri, Ben Arfa and Benzema are being selected in the best French teams. They are therefore in the best conditions to develop their game, progress and make that step up.
“They must stay and get more confidence into their game, assert their qualities and achieve things.
“And leaving Ligue 1 shouldn’t just be a question of money. You must be professional in your approach to leaving. Going abroad must be motivated by the desire to assert your potential, your play.”
