Arsenal and Manchester United have been placed on alert by French giants Lyon’s drive to slash costs.

 

The English Premier League pair are both known admirers of Les Gones playmaker Yoann Gourcuff, and although the former AC Milan man has ruled out a switch in the January transfer window, it does appear that Lyon are laying the ground for a summer departure.

 

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed in October that the club need to balance the books and now sources in France have indicated the shocking nature of the measures that will be taken.

 

Lyon are ready to cut the club’s wage bill by a whopping €20M, but even more is forecast to be brought in through player sales.

 

The Stade Gerland outfit are reported to envisage a huge €40M arriving by shipping out some of the team’s stars.

 

While the financial adjustment has been deemed necessary, it comes at a time when Paris Saint-Germain are splashing cash and Marseille chasing a Middle Eastern investor to compete.

 

Vultures will soon start to circle in the hopes of snapping up a bargain.

 

Arsenal and Manchester United would likely still have to pay north of €20M for Gourcuff however.

 

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