Lyon - Gourcuff is staying

French giants have no intention of losing midfielder

Last Updated: January 9, 2012 5:25pm

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Yoann Gourcuff: Staying at Lyon this month, according to president Aulas

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Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas insists playmaker Yoann Gourcuff is going nowhere this month, despite continued speculation linking him with Arsenal.

Aulas previously claimed that Gunners boss Arsene Wenger tried to sign the France international in the summer and it is rumoured the Londoners are preparing another swoop for him during the current transfer window.

Gourcuff has struggled for Lyon this season, with poor form and injury limiting him to just seven starts and one goal for the Ligue 1 giants.

However, Aulas has poured cold water on speculation he will leave this month and has predicted a big year ahead for the 25-year-old.

Staying

"The journalists writing that Gourcuff is on his way out are simply getting it wrong," said the president.

"He will be staying. I brought him here because I thought that with him in our ranks, we would have a side with added value, especially in the Champions League."

Aulas believes it is in the best interests of the 28-time capped France midfielder to stay at the Stade de Gerland with Euro 2012 coming up in the summer.

"He will be staying here, because with the Euros just around the corner, he'll have the stability to turn in an excellent season and get back on track," he said.

"Economically, it would be a mistake to let him go at a time when he can play a part in France's tilt at the Euros, get back into peak physical form and show everyone what he is capable of."