Arsenal Transfer Rumor: Gunners to Compete with Real Madrid for £30M French Enforcer?

English Premier League club Arsenal are reportedly set to make a move for French Ligue 1 side Rennes' midfielder, Yann M'Vila, as soon as the winter transfer window opens for business next month. The London club are looking to bring in experienced players to strengthen the back line.

The Gunners, who are looking to fill gaps made by the departure of two important players last summer - Samir Nasri to Manchester City and Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona - will be hoping to land M'Vila with an improved offer. Previously, a £20 million bid from Arsenal was rejected by the French club.

Rennes, on the other hand, will do their best to hold on to their most prized asset and will be hoping the player stays on until the forthcoming 2012 European Championships is over. However, the club will know that apart from Arsenal, Spanish giants Real Madrid are also interested in the player; holding on to him for much longer, therefore, may be tough.

If Rennes does end up convincing M'Vila, 21, to stay on beyond the summer's international tournament, and if he himself performs well in the tournament, the player's valuation could drastically increase to a staggering £30 million, according to a Sportsvibe.co.uk report.

Yann M'Vila, who started off his senior career with Rennes in 2009, has made a total of 103 appearances for the Route de Lorient-based club thus far.