Lyon willing to lose top players

Under coach Remi Garde, OL won the French Cup last season but its fourth-place finish in Ligue 1 was its worst performance since 1998.

Aulas presided over almost a decade of domination by Lyon in France, but with the financial muscle of Paris Saint-Germain threatening to leave the rest of the country lagging behind, OL knows a title challenge may be beyond it.

However, European qualification remains a realistic aim for a side which still boasts one of the biggest budgets in the French game.

"We will compete for European qualification via the league and will also try to go as far as we possibly can in the Europa League," Aulas told Lyon's official club website.

"I think it's a shame that some people think we lack ambition these days.

"We will have one of the three largest budgets in France behind Paris and probably Lille and I have faith in the coaching staff and the players."

Despite that, Aulas admits that the club will study offers for big name players such as Michel Bastos and France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, as well as others who underperformed last season.

"A certain number of players were not good enough last season and will leave or at least be placed on the transfer list," he said.

Of Lloris, who has been linked with Arsenal, Aulas added: "Hugo told me he would like to leave if an offer comes in from one of the biggest five clubs in Europe.

"If one of these clubs makes an offer that matches his market value, in other words 20 million euros ($24.4 million), then he can go.

"If there is no offer before July 15, he will remain at the club for the coming season.

"For the moment, there has been no offer, neither from Arsenal nor anywhere else."

Lyon begins the season against champion Montpellier in the Champions Trophy - France's equivalent of a SuperCup - in New York on 28 July before going to Rennes for its opening league game on 11 August.