Arsenal Transfer News: Gervinho Exit Does Not Look Imminent

Arsenal’s Gervinho has been expected to leave the club this summer, but a move for the attacking midfielder looks a long way off.

The French attacker has been a target for Italian side Roma who had reportedly made an official bid of £6.9 million this summer. Other interest has come from Juventus, Lyon and Marseille with Arsenal prepared to deal at around £8 million for Gervinho who wants to leave the Emirates Stadium.

Lyon have yet to make a confirmed move for Gervinho with 27-year-old Yoann Gourcuff a potential player exchange, as part of the deal. Joining from Lille two summers ago, Gervinho has struggled to settle in England, suffering from a lack of confidence in his play with only 11 goals in 63 appearances.

Gourcuff, a tall, ball-playing attacking midfielder, was touted as a French player to become the next to grace the world stage, like Zinedine Zidane. A forward-thinking passer with great technique, the Lyon midfielder would have been an interesting addition for Arsenal. But as ESPN UK report, Lyon won’t be swapping 27-year-old Gourcuff for Gervinho any time soon.

His [Gourcuff] destination, however, seems unlikely to be north London in exchange for the Gunners' unwanted Ivorian.

Gervinho arrived in North London as a league championship winner from his time with Lille and was a teammate of Chelsea star Eden Hazard. His close-touch dribbling and goals were important in his side’s Ligue 1 triumph prior to his earned move to Arsenal.

But 11 goals was a fairly poor return from the player who cost just over £10m.

Arsene Wenger could free up an important area of the pitch for Arsenal, if Gervinho could be off-loaded in the summer. And perhaps, it could possibly pave the way for Luis Suarez to join and take up a left-sided role within the team.

For sure, though, Gourcuff isn’t a potential exchange option for Lyon-target Gervinho, according to head coach Remi Garde.

"That information has not come into my channels. I read that in the press," Garde told Le Progres, as ESPN say. "Gervinho is a forward. We've got forwards, youngsters of real quality."

The 26-year-old’s performances last season, lack of work-rate and frustrating final ball didn’t help his cause among Arsenal supporters. Gervinho inherited the left-sided role from Andrey Arshavin and appears to be unwanted by the Gunners, as much as he wants to leave.

For all parties, making a decision quickly on Gervinho’s short-term future is the best option.