Arsenal Transfer Rumour: Wenger Plots Move for Ligue 1 Midfielder

Arsenal are reportedly considering a move for Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff in the January transfer window, as Arsene Wenger looks to bolster his side's creative options amid the Gunners' recent struggles.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas recently revealed the Ligue 1 outfit would sell a few players soon due to financial constraints and also admitted Gourcuff could be one of the stars who could leave.

"We're planning to sell two or three players for a total of €30million [£24m]. If he (Gourcuff) returns to the highest level and he wants to go, then there could be a transfer,' the Daily Mail quoted Aulas as saying.

Wenger has been an admirer of the France international for several years now and, according to the Metro, will look to land the 26-year-old. The Gunners boss took advantage of Malaga's financial plight in the summer by snapping up midfielder Santi Cazorla from the La Liga club outfit for a cut-price deal.

Gourcuff, who was sidelined for the majority of last season with ankle and knee problems, joined Lyon from Bordeaux in 2010 for a fee of around £17m. The speculation linking the injury-prone midfielder with Arsenal has come as a surprise, given the form of Cazorla and the return of Jack Wilshere. The Gunners also have Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who can operate in the central midfield area, while they are lacking options up front.

Gourcuff has impressed at Rennes and Bordeaux but has struggled to find form at Lyon and also during his stint with AC Milan. And former France international Eric Di Meco hopes the playmaker can rediscover his touch under a good manager.

"Having done what he had at Bordeaux, I expected him to move to a team challenging for titles that he would help become champions. Gourcuff is not someone who leads a team and takes them to the top, like Lyon are asking of him. He doesn't have the mentality to do that, but if he has a coach that trusts him and if he is in a good environment then he can flourish," Goal.com quoted Di Meco as saying.