Arsene Wenger's side finished fourth last season Photo: Back Page Images

Yoann Gourcuff is unlikely to leave Lyon this summer amid reported interest from Arsenal, Lyon president Michel Aulas has said.

The 27-year-old playmaker has failed to find consistent form after securing a £19m transfer to the French club from Bordeaux in 2010.

And although Aulas signalled that move to north London for Gourcuff currently looks unlikely, he stopped short of ruling out a transfer altogether.

Posting on his personal Twitter account, Aulas said: “I do not think Gourcuff will move to Arsenal, but in football anything is possible.”

Gourcuff is the highest-paid Frenchman in Ligue 1, earning a reported monthly wage of £350,000.

Aulas’ latest comments come after he claimed the Gourcuff was ready to take a pay-cut to join Arsenal.

Speaking last week, he said: “I understood correctly, he [Gourcuff] was ready to lower his salary to go to Arsenal.”

Gourcuff made 19 appearances for Lyon last season, scoring three goals and making seven assists.