ARSENAL TRANSFER RUMOURS: M?Vila, Giroud, Remy, Belhanda, Hoilett Involved In Latest Speculation

With the news that Pat Rice is stepping down as Arsenal's assistant manager come the end of the season, to be replaced by Steve Bould, there is sure to be change at the Emirates next season.

And there are also likely to be changes afoot on the pitch. The club has already agreed to sign Lukas Podolski and speculation continues to mount about further recruits.

Reports in the past few days have suggested that Arsenal is close to agreeing a deal with Rennes for midfielder Yann M'Vila in a £17.7 million move. But manager Arsene Wenger said on Thursday that such talk is premature.

It is not true. There is not any interest at the moment, Wenger said, according to the official Arsenal website.

We have not been in touch with anybody, we have not made any offer to anybody and we are nowhere near to buying anybody at the moment.

We are focused on our final game of the season.

Such comments do not necessarily mean that a deal for M'Vila is not close. Wenger is well known for denying knowledge of transfers until they are completely finalized and It was always unlikely that any further deals would be completed before Arsenal discovers whether they have qualified for next season's Champions League.

True to Wenger's reputation, the Arsenal boss could be set for a raid of some of Ligue 1's finest talents this summer.

French website Mercato365 reports that the Gunners are also interested in Olivier Giroud, Loic Remy, as well as Younes Belhanda.

Arsenal has been linked to Montpellier striker Giroud for several weeks, but a report in the Metro suggests that Bayern Munich is now in pole position for Ligue 1's top scorer.

I haven't spoken with Bayern Munich personally, but my agent has been in touch with them, Giroud is reported to have said.

They have all said how well they were received at Bayern, and how happy they were at the club.

Loic Remy is another option to bolster Arsenal's attack, with the Marseille star capable of playing both as a central striker and as an inside forward. The French international has previously been mentioned in connection with moves to Tottenham and Liverpool.

Belhanda, meanwhile, is known to be admired by Wenger and has had an exceptional season in helping Montpellier to the brink of claiming the French title.

An excellent dribbler and passer with an eye for goal, the 22-year-old could be the ideal replacement for Samir Nasri.

As well as Giroud, Arsenal could also go head-to-head with Bayern Munich for the signing of Junior Hoilett this summer. The Daily Mail reports that the Champions League finalists have joined the race for the Blackburn attacking midfielder.

It is also claimed that 21-year-old Hoilett is being chased by Borussia Monchengladbach, as well as Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton, Stoke and Sunderland.