Wednesday, 24th October, 2012
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has placed Yoann Goucuff’s suitors on alert by admitting that he needs to cut the wage bill at Les Gones and explaining he would not be against selling the playmaker.
Gourcuff has in the past been strongly linked with Arsenal and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has gone on record as saying that launching a swoop for the former AC Milan midfielder "is always tempting for a coach".
The Arsenal boss then is likely to have paid close attention to Aulas’ words, which came as the Lyon supremo was pledging to control costs at the club in a manner which will likely result in up to three big money sales; and this on top of cashing in on Hugo Lloris, Aly Cissokho and Kim Kallstrom this summer.
"We’re planning to sell two or three players for a total of €30M", said Aulas, announcing a deficit of €28M.
And the president admitted Gourcuff could be amongst those to leave, something which would bring about a spell during which the 26-year-old has struggled to show his best form, with a knee injury having afflicted him of late.
"He must find his place in the team after his knee injury", said Aulas.
relatedNewsStory"Hopefully, he will be in the squad for Sunday’s trip to Marseille.
"If he returns to the highest level and he wants to go, then there could be a transfer."
Les Gones snapped up Gourcuff from Bordeaux for the hefty price of €22M in 2010, believing the playmaker would fire them to domination in Ligue 1.
However, he found reproducing the form he had shown with Bordeaux to be difficult, while injuries also hampered his attempts to settle into his new club.
Once regularly compared with Zinedine Zidane, Gourcuff’s stock remains high however and if Lyon are realistic about the midfielder’s sale price, there could be much interest in his services.
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