It’s been reported that Arsenal tried to sign Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff on loan on deadline day, but the French club rejected the Gunners approach.
Arsene Wenger managed to sign Yossi Benayoun on loan, as well as Mikel Arteta from Everton, but only after the Frenchman was told that the 25-year-old would not be leaving the Stade de Garlands this summer.
Gourcuff, who made 30 appearances for Lyon last season, still has four years left to run on his existing contract with Lyon having joined from Bordeaux last summer.
The France international admitted last February that he was unsettled and frustrated at the Ligue 1 outfit, claiming to have problems working under boss Claude Puel – probably, if not definitely, the reason why Wenger attempted to snap him up on loan.
Despite his apparent problems, the French club maintain high hopes for the midfield playmaker and thus declined Arsenal’s late interest.
Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas recently told RMC:
‘I had a call on the penultimate day of the transfer window [from] Gilles Grimandi for a loan deal.’
‘We believe in the recovery of Yoann. He has just resumed training.’
‘We made the choice [to keep] Gourcuff, just like last year.’
‘It was difficult [for him] last year. Hopefully he is going to prove his capabilities this year.’
To be honest, as much as I am a fan of Gourcuff, I am glad that Lyon rejected Arsenal’s loan bid for him.
I believe the Frenchman needs to work on his fitness and performance levels, having dipped in form and suffered injuries last season. Hopefully he can correct these ‘problems’, and who knows, perhaps we may see Wenger try his luck again in January.
Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/Gunnersphere
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
No regret, everything worketh for good.
Yeah arsenal have no regret 4not landing him,he shuld stay where he is we dont need him anymore thanks.
Well i think he is good the manager should go for him in Jan plus m’villa.
Why are we trying loan deals? Have we run out of cash for permanent deals? Seems strange considering the 10m net profit from transfers this summer, it kind of suggests that Wenger has a long term repacemnent for Cesc in his radar (Gotze?) or else is waiting for Ramsey and Wilshere to develop for next year to a point where they can provied all the creativity we need in midfield.
i dont think the reason we trying to get lone deals if coz we have no cash
wake up people
we tryed to bring him and lucho and even kaka on a one year lone
for the simpel fact that this year wenger has not found fabrigas replcenmtn
i think next summer he will bring in a hazard or a goetz type player a world class creatove midfiled.
thats why even arteta is short term not a long term replcemnt for fabrigas.
get = hazard . mvila , cahiil , zarate & rock the world
Go on Wenger get him in January my son he is a great player. great passer and not afraid to shoot. It would be great, Gourcuff, Arteta, Wilshier and Walcot. Go on wenger plzzzzzz get him in January