Kris Meeke wants Sebastien Ogier as 2017 Citroen WRC team-mate

Citroen signed Meeke as its lead driver for its works WRC comeback a year ago and then announced Craig Breen and Stephane Lefebvre as the rest of its line-up.

But Volkswagen's shock exit has put reigning champion Ogier - who started his WRC career with Citroen - back on the market, with Citroen team principal Yves Matton open to having discussions.

Meeke said taking on Ogier in equal machinery was of interest.

"I would have no problem if Sebastien came back to Citroen," he told Autosport.

"I haven't discussed this with the team, but from a personal perspective I'd maybe prefer to have him in the same team rather than in a car which might be perceived to be better.

"It would be a more level playing field, if you like.

"I texted Sebastien when the news came out and told him I was sorry for what had happened and that, regardless of what car, I would love to see him on the start line in Monte Carlo.

"I haven't talked to Yves about this at all, but for me I don't mind who comes to the team if any one of the three [ex-VW drivers] do.

"I had some issues over a couple of the potential drivers for this year - I was a bit worried they could be disruptive in the team - but that's not the case with Ogier, [Jari-Matti] Latvala or [Andreas] Mikkelsen.

"Those guys are all ready to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in and that's all I want to do."

Meeke added that he was disappointed to miss out on a head-to-head with VW in 2017.

"We have spent so long gearing ourselves up to take on the champions and now that chance has gone and that's a real shame," he said.

"It would have been really interesting to see what we could do against them next season.

"That's one of the biggest losses here: nobody will get the chance to measure themselves against that car."

Ogier left Citroen at the end of 2011 after a fractious relationship with team-mate Sebastien Loeb, but a source close to the firm confirmed it was investigating avenues for a reunion.

"It's natural to try to bring him. It could be an incredible team with Kris and Paul [Nagle, Meeke's co-driver], but maybe there could be some heat as well," said the source.

"It would be a big decision for Seb, we don't forget that he came to Citroen before when the car was designed and built around another driver."