Les Gones have rejected two offers for the 35-year-old - reported to be 200,000 euros and 900,000 euros - from the Primera Liga side and are thought to be holding out for 1.5m euros.

Lyon administration officer Marino Faccioli has confirmed, however, talks reopened over the transfer late Wednesday.

He told the club's website: "Negotiations have restarted, even though we have not yet received a new offer from the Spanish team.

"We are reasonably optimistic about the transfer of Coupet to Atletico Madrid.

"But the Spanish club must understand that we need financial guarantees. We are a club on the stock market, and we cannot establish a payment schedule without these.

"However if we can reach an agreement on this issue, Gregory Coupet will be an Atletico Madrid player very soon."

France international Coupet told Les Gones that he would not be playing for them next season before heading to Euro 2008, despite him signing a contract extension last summer which ties him to the club until 2010.

He has made over 500 appearances for the seven-time Ligue 1 champions.