And he could be tempted to follow former France team-mate Thierry Henry to the States in search of a fresh challenge.

Claude Anelka said, in comments reported by the Daily Star: “Nicolas told me he is interested in playing in the United States.

“We could see him crossing the Atlantic, and I’m serious when I say this. He asked himself what he will do once his current contract runs out.

“The US is quite something, and a dream destination. He says he will give it a try, even though he would earn less money than in somewhere like Qatar.”