Liverpool line up Yoann Gourcuff as Steven Gerrard replacement

Liverpool have set their sights on Lyon’s French playmaker Yoann Gourcuff as a replacement for their departing club captain Steven Gerrard, with the former AC Milan midfielder reportedly in advanced talks regarding a summer switch.

The Reds, 15/8 with Coral for a top four finish, will look to capture the Ligue 1 star, with their stalwart skipper set to join MLS franchise LA Galaxy after the current campaign comes to a close.

Gourcuff has been previously linked with a move to the Premier League, with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal having been keen admirers of his attacking attributes. However, the 28-year-old’s agent Didier Poulmaire has revealed that Brendan Rodgers’ Reds have approached him regarding a possible swoop for his talented client.

“In any transfer market, some foreign clubs come knocking at the door for Yoann,” said Poulmaire. In the past it was Manchester City, while this year, it’s Liverpool. I’m sure offers will arrive in the next window.”

Gourcuff is able to sign a pre-contract deal at any stage this season to join Liverpool, with his current contract at Lyon expiring at the end of this campaign.

The menacing midfielder has long been tipped to take the European stage by storm, having been compared to former France international Zinedine Zidane at the beginning of his promising career.

Although, since his time with Serie A side Milan, Gourcuff has endured a slow decline, joining Bordeaux before moving to their French league rivals the Kids in 2010. His spell at the Rossoneri was made incredibly difficult with the dominance of Kaka and Andrea Pirlo within the San Siro’s midfield positions.

The Frenchman made his senior international debut in August 2008, netting his first goal against Romania two months later, and eventually appearing at the 2010 World Cup finals in Germany.

Lyon’s attacking midfielder, who can also play in a deeper central role, has been limited to just 15 appearances in all competitions this term, striking three times, which included a league double in a 5-1 victory over Montpellier, with his team now sitting comfortably in top spot.