Lyon, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have all been strongly linked with a move for the 33-year-old, who made more than 250 league appearances and won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups during his time at Highbury.
However, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp recently admitted that talks had stalled over a potential deal, while Gunners' supremo Arsene Wenger revealed that he was unconvinced by the idea of re-signing the iconic midfield enforcer, saying:
"I have a general policy about re-signing players but I never said I would never do it.
"I am not a big fan because I feel once the players have gone, they have gone. I don't know it could have psychological impact on the rest of the squad."
But Lyon president Aulas has announced that the French outfit pulled out of a possible deal for different reasons, citing the veteran's persistent injury problems in recent years as the key reason why they opted against signing him.
“It was because of his injury concerns,” he told France Football.
“I confess, [Inter] think and we think that they have reduced a little.
"But it would still be a gamble, especially when his increased age is also taken into account.”
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