Arsenal Transfer News: Door Open for Gunners' Midfield Target

Rennes manager Pierre Dreossi has confirmed that holding midfielder Yann M'Vila is ready to leave the French club this summer.

The 22-year-old has attracted interest from a host of European clubs, including Arsenal, following his performances for his club and country in the last two seasons but the Rennes boss has insisted that the club have received no concrete offers yet.

"He is ready to leave. For now there have been a few signs of interest, but no concrete enough offers for M'Vila to leave. The transfer window has only just opened, so we will wait for the right offer to arrive. He has true value, even if he put on an average European Championship display," ESPN quoted Dreossi as saying.

Arsenal were strongly linked to M'Vila since the end of last season and even the player had expressed his interest in a move to the north London club. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been keeping tabs on the Frenchman for more than a year and the club had an offer of £17.5mn for him turned down by Rennes last summer.

M'Vila, who can operate as an anchorman or a box-to-box midfielder, is incredibly athletic and strong at the same time, and his attributes and style are considered ideal for the Premier League. Wenger already has an excellent holding midfielder in Alex Song but with the Cameroonian developing an eye for defence-splitting passes and over-the-top balls this season, the signing of M'Vila would allow Song to operate in a slightly offensive role, if needed.

However, there are also reports that Arsenal have pulled out of a proposed move for M'Vila as he is one the French players facing a disciplinary committee hearing over incidents at Euro 2012.

Barcelona keeping tabs on Vermaelen

Meanwhile, Barcelona are considering a summer bid for Arsenal vice-captain Thomas Vermaelen, according to the Daily Mail.

The 26-year-old has been linked to the La Liga giants since he was pictured with the Spanish club's captain Carles Puyol at a restaurant in Ibiza two weeks ago. And it now appears that the former European champions are keen to land the Belgian.

The report says that Catalan boss Tito Vilanova has urged sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta to move for a new centre-back, with Vermaelen believed to be at the top of the list.