Arsenal have already spoken to the France star's dad
Christian to pave the way for a switch that will make Gourcuff the
Gunners' record signing.
An Arsenal source said: "While every effort is being
made to keep Cesc at the club the boss is working towards an
alternative.
"He believes Gourcuff's finesse and grace will fit
perfectly to Arsenal's way of playing and will make it an almost
seamless transition if Cesc does go."
Wenger is desperate to keep Fabregas after the skipper
asked for a move to boyhood club Barcelona.
Arsenal slapped an £80m price tag on their prized asset
but it is accepted Fabregas will eventually sign for Barca for
around £45m.
Gourcuff, 23, will be France's first-choice playmaker
in the World Cup but has a £21.8m get-out clause at Bordeaux.
Wenger may struggle to bring that price down as
Bordeaux president Jean Louis Triaud is still fuming at Wenger for
nabbing his striker Marouane Chamakh on a free.
Yet cash-strapped Bordeaux are desperate to get
Gourcuff off their wage bill after failing to net a European spot
following a late-season collapse in the French League.
Gourcuff earns around £80,000 a week at Bordeaux, one
of the highest contracts in French football.
He joined Bordeaux in a £14m deal from AC Milan last
summer after a season on loan in France.
