Saturday, 22nd October, 2011
Lyon have admitted that they will need to sell two players, possibly as soon as the winter transfer window in news that is sure to pique Arsenal’s interest.
Jean-Michel Aulas, Lyon’s president, has confirmed that the club’s trading group has suffered a loss of some €28M.
While Les Gones have cash in the bank to address the loss, Aulas is certain that costs must be brought down and a sizeable chunk of revenue realised through player sales.
Indeed, the sale of talented Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic to Roma over the summer was driven by the desire to recoup cash.
"We had to sell four players this summer, but we sold only two", confirmed Aulas.
"Today, we must compensate for what was not done with the sale of two new players."
Aulas’ announcement is sure to interest Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who covets one of Lyon’s crown jewels in the shape of Yoann Gourcuff.
Wenger has tried to sign the attacking midfielder in the past and recently admitted that he will try again in the future.
And with Gourcuff one of Lyon’s most saleable assets, there is a substantial chance he could be sold, as Aulas alluded to when admitting that Les Gones may have to do what they do not really wish to do.
"It is possible that we have opportunities to sell something that we don’t desire to sell, but we must accept it", said the Lyon supremo.
Aulas did reassure the club though that the situation is not serious.
"Our reserves save us. And Lyon is the first French club in terms of capital and structure with more than €100M of equity and no debt.
"We still have the squad to qualify for the Champions League and reach the last 16 in Europe."
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