He also has been contacted by two Italian clubs.

But he said that this was despite having been dropped by Joel Muller after making it clear he did not intend to stay in France.

"I had not played for some time," Coly said.

"But I did not ask for any explanation from the manager. It was his choice," he conceded.

"It's true I've taken my foot off the pedal a bit, due to not having proper pre-season training after returning from the World Cup," he said, adding that he had also been suffering from a knee injury.

"I just told the coach the truth. If an opportunity comes along I will go during the winter transfer window.

"My preference would be to go to England.

But Coly confirmed that decision had come at a cost.

"Joel told me that he understood but that he would have to do without me in the team from now on," he revealed.

"Anyway I have decided of my own accord to no longer wear the Lens shirt. The manager has his own responsibilities."

Coly, one of Senegal's most impressive performers in their run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup, is under contract at Lens until the end of the season.