Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff is willing to take a heavy pay-cut in order to join Premier League outfit Arsenal, according to the French club’s president Jean-Michel Aulas.
The 27-year-old has been watched by Arsenal for the last few seasons and interest was renewed this summer as Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen his side ahead of the new Premier League season.
The French club are looking to sell the French international, so that they could get the player off their wage-bill, but Gourcuff only wants a move to the Premier League and is holding out until that happens.
In an interview with L’Equipe, the Lyon president admitted that the club will not be loaning out the player and will only be looking at a permanent move, so it appears that the potential deal is all down to whether or not Arsenal want to sign the 27-year-old.
Aulas said: “Can you see us paying part of his salary for him to play against us with another French club? We’ve never considered that and it would be even more stupid now than it was a fortnight ago.
“All that I know, if I understood correctly, is that he was ready to lower his salary to go to Arsenal, but that’s not the same thing.
“I spoke to his lawyer two weeks ago and he asked for the power of attorney to negotiate a transfer. I said no, but I would be keen to offer a non-exclusive power of attorney to see what happens.”
Another Lyon player that was close to a Premier League move was striker Bafetimbi Gomis, but the deal with Newcastle United is apparently off now.
The president added: “His circumstances have changed. Newcastle ended talks and we don’t have any other offers.
“The most logical solution would be for everyone to get back down to business and for him to prolong for another year. But there are other factors to consider, most notably what Remi Garde wants to do.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
