Gourcuff pulls out of Atletico deal

France Football is reporting that Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff has rejected an opportunity to join Atletico Madrid.

After long negotiations, the two clubs had agreed a six-month loan with an option to buy, but the player ultimately refused to commit to los Colchoneros.

According to France Football, he did not want to move clubs midway through the season and decided to remain at Stade Gerland until the end of the current campaign.

With the player failing to justify the €22 million invested in him, Lyon chiefs are eager to cash in on the midfielder, even if they are aware his price has decreased a great deal over the last few years.

A move to Vicente Calderon looked to be a great opportunity for all three parties, but Gourcuff didn’t seem to think so.

Despite pledging his future to the club, the 26-year-old is unlikely to get too many first team opportunities by the end of the season.