Lyon President Ready to Allow Arsenal and United Target Maxime Gonalons Leave This Summer

Arsenal and Manchester United's hopes of signing Maxime Gonalons have been boosted after Lyon President Jean-Michel Aulas admitted the midfielder could leave the club this summer.

The 25-year-old has long been on the Gunners' radar, while their league rivals United were also believed to be interested in securing Gonalons' services. The defensive midfielder spent his entire career with the Ligue 1 side after coming up through the ranks of the club's youth setup.

Aulas is hopeful the French international continues at Lyon beyond the summer transfer window, but is open to allowing Gonalons leave his current employers.

The Ligue 1 outfit's president admitted the midfielder is attracting interest from "several clubs" adding that the sale would help him raise funds.

"The heart of Maxime beats for Lyon. He has attracted the interest of several clubs and is among the most popular players," talkSPORT quoted Aulas as saying.

"I have always said he can leave the club at the end of the season. His sale could help us in economic terms. But I will see him before the holidays and tell him that his place is here in Lyon - if he wants he can stay with us again," Lyon president concluded.

Gonalons has made 36 appearances in the league during the 2013/14 season and has scored two goals in the process.

Meanwhile, United winger Ashley Young believes the pre-season tour will help the new players settle quickly at the club. The England international joined the Red Devils from Aston Villa in 2012 and featured first time for the Old Trafford club during their tour to the States.

"Tours are great for helping new players settle in – it definitely helped me when I joined. You get to know all the players and it's great for team-bonding. We've got a great team spirit here and it doesn't take too long for players to settle in. Going back to America will be fantastic," Young told United's official website.

"I really enjoyed it first time round and I'm looking forward to this year's tour. From the minute we got to every hotel there were fans throughout the day and night screaming and shouting non-stop. And the stadiums were full just for training – it was a fantastic experience."