Arsenal and Tottenham target took pay-cut to stay at Lyon this summer

Arsenal and Tottenham target Yoann Gourcuff took a pay-cut to stay at Lyon this summer, according to the club's president.

Gourcuff has been continually linked with a move to North London over the past few seasons, with Arsene Wenger reportedly a fan of the French midfielder's talents.

The 28-year-old, who joined Lyon for £18m in 2010, was linked with the Gunners again this summer although the player's injury record appeared to put the Premier League club off.

The France international has managed just over 100 appearances in four years at Lyon and now the Ligue club's president, Jean Michel Aulas, has revealed that Gourcuff dropped his wage to stay at the seven-time French champions.

"He has made a very substantial parting with some of his salary, over 25%," Aulas told RMC.