Yoann Gourcuff
Yoann Gourcuff in action for France against Uruguay in a recent friendly. [Reuters]

Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has been linked with a possible move to Arsenal after making it clear that he is willing to leave the club this summer in order to gain more regular first team action.

The 26 year old, who yesterday played in France's loss to Uruguay, has had a frustrating last two seasons at the Stade de Gerland after falling out of favour with manager Rémi Garde who handed him just 14 league appearances last season.

Gourcuff was once viewed as one of the brightest talents in French football after impressing for Rennes and earning a move to Italian giants AC Milan. He made his debut for France back in 2008 but has struggled to fulfil his promise.

He has long been linked with a move to Arsenal, especially after his return to France when he excelled for Bordeaux, helping the club win the Ligue 1 title by scoring 12 goals in his first season for the club.

Lyon paid some £19m for his signature but he has now stated his intention to leave the club, and ESPN believe that Arsenal may well be interested in securing his signature.

"If clubs are interested and interesting, I don't close the door on anything at all," Gourcuff told Ouest France.

"The most important thing is to play, but I have to look at the sporting project, whether they count on me, the means that we're given to succeed, and if they have clear ideas which don't change after a defeat.

"I have a certain idea of football, a philosophy on how to play, I know in which conditions I can flourish and in which I can't. That's what counts most even if the economic aspect also comes into the equation."

The attacking midfielder has long been a target for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who has previously admitted that he attempted to sign the player, only for Gourcuff to suffer an injury setback.

"I was interested in Yoann Gourcuff because at one time he was available," Wenger admitted last summer. "Unfortunately, we were in a hurry. We had to have players performing soon."

"He was at that time about to have surgery. The timing was not good for us. But I had learned of his medical condition. Unfortunately, we were in doubt because it was not certain if Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas would leave."

Arsenal are expected to make a number of new signings this summer and there is certainly space in the squad for an attacking midfielder after it was confirmed that Andrey Arshavin had left the club after his deal came to an end.

Gourcuff has experience of playing in the Champions League and has scored four goals for France in his 29 appearances for the national team.