Liverpool and Arsenal Transfer Target Gonalons Confirms Summer Move

Arsenal and Liverpool have been urged to renew their attempts to sign Lyon star Maxime Gonalons this summer, after the midfielder revealed that he is ready to leave the Ligue 1 side at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old midfielder is currently the captain of the French giants, following his break into the first team from the academy in 2009.

He has since become an integral part of the squad but with Lyon fifth in the Ligue 1 table, and no longer fighting with Paris Saint Germain and Monaco for the tittle, he claims that he needs to make a step forward in his career and face new challenges.

Asked about his future in an interview with French newspaper Le Progres, Gonalons said: "I have always said that I would start and finish the season at Lyon but now my head is clear: I'm ready to leave.

"I still have things to learn. It's never a good time to leave my former club but in a career, there are opportunities to be considered. I have a deal with president Aulas. We have agreed to make a decision if all three parties are happy."

Gonalons was heavily linked with a January move to Napoli during the last transfer window but both he and his club rejected a mid-season move, even though according to the reports the Italian side made a £14m bid to secure his services.

Napoli manager Rafa Benitez are still keen on bolstering his midfield, and after also failing to secure Tottenham unsettle Etiene Capoue in January, it is expected that he will make a new bid for Gonalons in the summer.

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Arsenal have been linked with Gonalons' signing since last summer and may fight with the Italian giants for his signature.

Brendan Rodgers is desperately looking to strengthen his midfield with consistent cover for Lucas Leiva and although Valencia's Dani Parejo has been earmarked as his first choice, he may renew his interest in Gonalons.

Arsene Wenger is also looking to add a midfielder to the squad as as a long-term successor for Mikel Arteta, who is nearing his mid-thirties, with Sporting Lisbon youngster William Carvalho also on the French boss's shopping list.