LYON, France (AFP) - French champions Lyon confirmed Monday that they have been in contact with both Paris Saint Germain's Sylvain Armand and Inter Milan's Fabio Grosso in a bid to fill the gap left by Barcelona-bound French international defender Eric Abidal.

"We're looking at tough negotiations with PSG who don't want to let him (Armand) go because they want to prolong his contract," said Lyon sporting advisor Bernard Lacombe.

"We've been in contact with Grosso and he wants to come," added club president Jean-Michel Aulas.

Grosso's agent Danilo Caravello told the Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday that Lyon had been in touch with the defender.

"This week could be decisive. Either the deal will be done or Fabio will stay at Inter," said Caravello.

"Fabio is a world champion and we're weighing up the technical aspect as well as the economic aspect. France is an attractive prospect but you have to also take into account Fabio's ambitions at Inter, a club where the player despite a slightly difficult season, feels good."