Why the time’s right for Arsenal to snap up this talented, long-term transfer target:

I’m sure by this stage of the transfer market, Arsenal fans would have expected to see their club make two-or-three quality signings.

Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened and Arsene Wenger has left fans somewhat in the lurch. In his interviews he goes back and forth regarding whether he’s willing and ready to make further additions to the squad, though this interview does suggest he would spend big if the right player were available.

I guess the problem for the club is that they can’t find anybody they think is worth spending money on.

Whilst I understand that it’s January and not necessarily the best time to raid the market, this seems like a fairly bizarre position for 6^th place Arsenal to take. They’re way behind pace in the Premier League and have serious work to do if they’re to get anywhere close to the two Manchester sides.

As such, it’s not all that unsurprising that the Gunners have been linked to all and sundry over the last couple of weeks. But, this rumour, courtesy of The Metro is one of the more intriguing stories to have emerged this January.

They suggest that Arsenal have been offered Lyon’s midfield ace, Yoann Gourcuff, once valued at £20m for a bargain price.

The talented Frenchman cost Lyon £20m back when he moved away from Bordeaux in 2009. Arsene Wenger was thought to be interested at the time, but unwilling to shell out the cash necessary to bring him to the Premier League (no surprise there).

Unfortunately, Gourcuff’s career has nose-dived since leaving Bordeaux, with injury problems plaguing his career and a variety of off field problems adding a nasty spice to a difficult couple of years for the playmaker. Gourcuff has yet to feature for Lyon this season, but is thought to be ready to return to full training over the next week, in order to launch yet another bid to save his career.

Lyon seem to have lost patience and it’s claimed that they’ve made him available to Arsenal for just £3m.

He’d be a gamble for the North London side. We all know his qualities and that he can be a world-beater on his day. At full fitness he’s a really special talent that would fit neatly into this Arsenal side.

Whilst there’s no guarantee he’ll ever get back to his best, if he’s available at his kind of price, I’d say it’s a gamble worth taking. If Wenger can convince Gourcuff to take a pay cut on his £4m-a-year salary, he’d be an excellent addition at the Emirates.

What’s your take? Should Arsenal take a risk on Yoann Gourcuff?

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