SWANSEA City have held transfer talks with Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis, according to the French club's president.
Jean-Michel Aulas says he has agreed terms with three clubs — including Swansea and Cardiff — for the sale of Gomis, but the player himself has so far refused to leave.
That forced Lyon, the only Ligue 1 club listed on the Paris stock exchange, to sell their highly-rated teenage striker Anthony Martial to Monaco over the weekend to boost their yearly financial report.
Despite Martial's departure, Aulas has openly admitted he is looking to sell French international Gomis, and Lyon's president claims Swans chairman Huw Jenkins has flown to France for negotiations.
"I had the feeling and I was even almost sure we could have convinced Bafe (to leave)," Aulas said
"The Swansea chairman came to Lyon to sign the commitment and we checked the offer was superior to what Bafe earns at Lyon."
Although Lyon are eager to sell Gomis, he will not be cheap.
It is thought a fee of around £8 million would be required to sign a forward who has been linked with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea in recent years.
Gomis scored 18 goals for Lyon last season, but Aulas claims the former Saint Etienne man has been a disruptive influence.
"It has become a behaviour problem more than a sporting problem," he said.
"I could not imagine he would go against his own interests."
As the Evening Post reported last month, Swansea were facing competition from mega-rich Monaco for Gomis but, with the player seemingly reluctant to move, the Principality club turned their attention to Martial.
Monaco signed the 17-year-old for 5 million euros, and Lyon highlighted Gomis's refusal to leave as the reason for Martial's exit.
"Having not been able to complete the move of any player approached for a transfer by 30 June, notably Bafetimbi Gomis, the club considered Monaco's offer for Anthony Martial," a Lyon statement read.
"The club completed Anthony Martial's move for 5 million euros plus an important share on a future transfer," Lyon continued, again identifying Gomis who "has not left yet".
