Arsenal close in on Rennes midfielder M’Vila

With Arsenal reported to have opened talks with French club Rennes over the signing of midfielder Yann M’Vila, the deal now appears to have moved a step closer to completion. An article in the Daily Mail today claims that Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle for £17 million rated M’Vila, who has also been targeted as a potential signing by Italian club Inter Milan.

It’s likely to be a long summer of transfer rumours for Arsenal, but they’ve already secured the services of Lukas Podolski from Cologne, and French International defensive midfielder M’Vila, who is 21-years-old, could yet become their second signing of the summer. Ligue 1 club Rennes have apparently spoken to several clubs over the transfer, with Arsenal now the likely destination for M’Vila, regardless of whether the Gunners qualify for the Champions League or not this season.

While Arsenal’s priority this summer is to secure a new contract for goal-machine Robin Van Persie, the North London club are also rumoured to be monitoring Blackburn’s Junior Hoilett who is out of contract at the end of the season. With Blackburn relegated to the Championship following their loss to Wigan, Hoilett, who has been one of Rovers best performers this season, is thought to be keen to move on to further his career, with Bayern Munich also showing an interest.