Nice on Friday announced it had rebuffed "sollicitations" from Borussia Dortmund over the French club's coach Lucien Favre, a decision it added was "firm and unequivocal".

"It's logical that a coach of his calibre, coming off such a season at Nice, arouses interest from big European clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, quarter-finalists in the last Champions League," Nice said in a statement.

"It is equally legitimate that this opportunity could arouse the interest of Lucien Favre.

"Nice have no difficulty in understanding that. However, given the proximity of the resumption of training (on June 19), the club doesn't want to follow any negotiation concerning a transfer of its coach, under contract until June 2019.

"Sporting interests prevail over financial matters."

Nice, who finished third in La Ligue last season, added: "This decision is firm and unequivocal and was fully heard by Borussia officials. And of course also by Lucien Favre who perfectly understood and accepted it."