Yohan Gourcuff is described as excited by the prospect of joining Atletico Madrid this week, but reluctant to do so on only a temporary basis.
Lyon and Atleti are believed to be in negotiations to bring the attacking midfielder to Spain this month, with the two sides reportedly close to agreeing a five-month loan deal with an optional purchase clause inserted for Los Rojiblancos.
However, whilst the French are seen as onside in this strategy, the player is reportedly pushing for only a permanent transfer, to avoid the risk of returning to Lyon in the summer.
With the transfer window closing later this week, Tuesday is seen as a key day in negotiations between Atleti, Lyon and the player, with Gourcuff understood to be keen to consider offers from England and Turkey in the coming days, if he cannot settle for the switch to the Spanish capital.
Atletico are said to have agreed to take on Gourcuff’s current salary figures, which would represent a pay rise in real terms due to lower tax than in France, but are seen as unable to afford a substantial transfer fee midway through the season.
