Ex-Brazil winger Bastos eyes France return

Michel Bastos is seen during a training session of the Sao Paulo Football Club, Nov 11, 2016. [Photo/IC]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Former Brazil international winger Michel Bastos is set to return to French football next year, according to Brazilian media reports.

Despite being contracted to Sao Paulo until the end of 2017 the Brazilian club has allowed Bastos to negotiate with other clubs, Uol reported.

It added that the 33-year-old had been seen with his former Lyon and Brazil teammate Cris, now coach of the French club's under-19 team.

Capped 10 times for Brazil, Bastos joined Sao Paulo in 2014 after a short spell with Italian Serie A side Roma.

He spent the best years of his career in France, playing for Lille from 2006 to 2009 and Lyon from 2009 to 2013.