Gunners Consider Yann M'Vila Alternative - Report

Arsenal are reportedly preparing a bid for Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama, who they consider as an alternative to long-standing target Yann M'Vila.

M'Vila has long been linked to the Gunners but the Rennes' player's reported poor attitude off the pitch seems to have sown doubts in Arsene Wenger's mind and the hunt for alternatives has now targeted Wanyama.

The 21 year old Kenyan international has been closely observed by senior Arsenal scouts and they believe he is a good on the ball and an efficient passer. Wenger, if he does make an approach for and sign the player, will look to those qualities to shore up his midfield options.

Wanyama transferred to Celtic from Belgian club Germinal Beerschot for an unconfirmed fee of £900,000 but is now likely to command something in the region of £7m.

"I'm proud that I'm the first Kenyan player to play in the UK and I'd be very happy also to be the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League," Wanyama told The National, "I think the Premiership is the dream of so many players, so I'd be happy to play there. There are a lot of good clubs in England. I've been happy here, and the fans have been brilliant with me. But it would not be a terrible thing for me if the club agree to let me go, and they get a good offer."

Wenger will have to move fast though. Wanyama has attracted attention from a number of clubs in the Premier League. The Daily Mail reports Manchester United, QPR and Stoke have all displayed interest, while a second Daily Mail report suggest Manchester City and Newcastle United are also looking at the player.

Meanwhile, Wenger is also concentrating on freeing up space in his first team and saving some money by selling fringe players like Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner and Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin. Arsenal have also been reported as being interested in Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla and Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin, who play for La Liga clubs Malaga and Real Madrid, respectively.

The Gunners begin the 2012/13 Premier League season with a home game against Sunderland, on 18 August.