The north Londoners want Lyon’s Gourcuff if the Schalke ace stays in Germany.
Olympique Lyon attacking midfielder Yoann Gourcuff is a transfer target for Arsenal if they fail to sign Julian Draxler from Schalke 04, according to French daily L’Equipe.
The Gunners have been linked with the France international for some time and Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas is keen to offload the 27-year-old.
Gourcuff has had an extremely indifferent career to date, with successful spells with Stade Rennes and Bordeaux being sandwiched between difficult periods with AC Milan and now at the Stade de Gerland.
However, Arsene Wenger is thought to still be a keen admirer of the Frenchman and has lined up the midfield ace as a potential alternative to Draxler.
The north London club have prioritised signing the Germany international from Schalke, but there have been difficulties in the negotiation process – with Wenger prepared to pay between £25m and £30m and the Bundesliga outfit holding out for the £37.2m release fee.
The Germans are understandably keen to keep hold of the 20-year-old, who has already played 133 first team matches and has 10 caps for the national team.
Gourcuff on the other hand is a more experienced head, having starred in both France and Italy and winning the Ligue 1 title with Bordeaux in 2009 and the Champions League with Milan in 2007.
This term the French ace has played 23 times for Lyon, scoring five goals and providing seven assists.
Despite already having an abundance of talent in midfield at the Emirates Stadium – with the likes of Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere – Wenger still wants further recruitment.
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