Arsenal’s pre-Euro 2012 spending looks set to continue as reports are claiming that the Gunners have signed French international Yann M’Vila for a club record £17.7 million.
According to Le Parisien, the Rennes defensive midfielder has turned down the opportunity to join transfer rivals Inter Milan and will instead sign a four-year contract with Arsene Wenger’s side.
The 21-year-old has long been a transfer target of Wenger’s and now looks set to leave the fifth-placed Ligue 1 side in a deal which eclipses the £15 million club record paid for Andrey Arshaving back in 2009.
Though not officially confirmed as of this writing, the news was broken by Le Parisien journalist Julien Laurens, who informed his followers: “Very busy yesterday working on M’Vila story. Deal 99% done. 22 million euros, 4 years. Great signing for Arsenal and player is delighted.”
Julien later added: “At the moment deal is done with Arsenal finishing 3rd, could slightly change if not but he will still sign. He chose Arsenal over Inter Milan.
“I believe he will be perfect signing for Arsenal. Norwich game showed how team was too exposed at the back. He will be proper holding mid.”
If confirmed, the move would be the second in a surprisingly aggressive transfer strategy from Arsenal for the 2012/2013, after the Gunners finally confirmed the signing of German international Lukas Podolski early last week.
