Now that Arsenal have officially qualified for the Champions League the club will want to benefit from the higher profile that comes with this as well as spending the financial rewards – it is clear the Gunners need at least three quality players (a centre back, left back and midfielder) to compete this season but the transfer window is quickly closing. One player they have allegedly began talks with is Yann M’Vila, a defensive midfielder with French club Stade Rennes; however, with the whole world knowing that we are desperate for players after losing two of our best ones, no transfer deals from now will be easy tasks.
What’s his pedigree?: After working his way up through the academy systems of Amiens and Mantes in Northern France, M’Vila signed for the Rennes academy in 2004 and this led to greater exposure in terms of the national team, with M’Vila playing at every youth level. After signing professional terms as recently as 2009, the Frenchman of Congolese descent has enjoyed a meteoric rise with two seasons in the heart of the Stade Rennes midfield with his debut season (2009-2010) alongside former gunner Junichi Inamoto. He then had a fantastic 2010-2011 which led to his nomination as Ligue 1 Young player of the year (he lost out to Mamadou Sakho) and his place in the team of the year, an honour Gervinho also achieved.
How’s the chemistry?: The defensive midfielder plays in a similar style to Jack Wilshere, but at 6ft tall and muscle-bound he is better suited to working the engine room deep in the midfield in the Premier League, allowing Wilshere to make better use of his passing ability and driving runs. M’Vila captained the French U-19 team and has an excellent disciplinary record for a defensive midfielder, with 5 bookings in 51 games last season. However, unlike Alex Song, M’Vila is not confident when going forward from the midfield and only has a handful of goals.
Do we have a chance?: Although Rennes don’t wish to sell the defensive midfielder who has four years left on his contract, Arsenal have had a €20 million bid rejected but are apparently ready to up the bid to €25 million which would smash the transfer record at the club. Rennes coach Frederic Antonetti addressed the rumours:
“I do not know if i is the press or Arsenal, who have spoken about the offer,” he told France Football. ”You [journalists] have an important role to play because you write every day. Sometimes you write the same things. Everyone has some responsibility. The information will be verified when it is needed to be written about. Yann is in Rennes – full stop. We have to talk again, but as often happens information gets out.”
Likely bid: £19 million. Probability: 6/10, the new bid should be enough.
Submitted by clockendview – just another Arsenal blog
