Yoann Gourcuff's contract talks stumble – Should Wenger make a move?

Yoann Gourcuff

Arsenal target Yoann Gourcuff is having trouble extending his contract with this current club Lyon. Gourcuff has reportedly been Wenger’s target for well over three years now and the French International has always attracted interest from the Arsenal manager.

The midfielder is alleged to be unhappy with his club’s decision to slash his current £90,000 a week salary as they are trying to reduce their wage bill and he might move out this January if things don’t improve. There are not any real interests from the Gunners, who have Mesut Özil, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere to play in the same position but Daily Star and Guardian say so.

Gourcuff almost joined Lorient and was also linked with Rennes and Arsenal this summer, but after a couple of poor seasons, he is finally starting to show his best form this season, that he once displayed grabbing attention from all over Europe. The French International still has two more years in his current deal and if Wenger might think about swooping in, he can get his hands on Gourcuff for a much smaller amount than he was tagged this summer.

Wenger who has already received backing from Ivan Gazidis and Stan Kroenke, has been told he has money to spend in January, although he has made signing a centre back and a centre forward his main priorities.

Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has admitted Gourcuff could be on his way, but has confirmed he will only sell his prized asset to a foreign club, “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,” he said.