ARSENAL TRANSFER RUMOURS: M?Vila, Giroud, Van Persie And Vermaelen Involved In Latest Speculation

Arsenal continues to receive encouraging news from France over the club's chances of securing two of the main transfer targets this summer.

The Gunners have long been linked with a move for Yann M'Vila and it now appears that his list of possible destinations is shortening. Bayern Munich was said to be battling hard to sign the defensive midfielder but the player's agent has claimed that the Bundesliga side's interest has now waned.

We had contact with Bayern Munich over Yann M'Vila, Werner Baader said, according to TalkSport.

He is not the kind of player they are looking for at Bayern. They are looking for someone in this position, but they want somebody with different abilities.

The 21-year-old has also been strongly linked with Inter, while Barcelona is also known to have watched the Rennes star. But M'Vila's recent comments suggest that a move to the Emirates is becoming increasing likely, with TalkSport suggesting the fee could be just £12 million.

Arsene Wenger could snag the club even more of a potential bargain with what now appears to be the imminent signing of M'Vila's France teammate, Olivier Giroud.

Sky Sports reports that Arsenal has met the striker's release clause of just €12 million, which currently equates to £9.7 million. For a player who helped his side, Montepellier, claim the Ligue 1 title with 21 goals, that represents a snip in the current market.

And Montpellier's deputy president, Laurent Nicollin has said that negotiations are continuing between the parties.

Discussions are happening and going well, as part of the (release) clause set. Things are moving serenely, he said in Midi Libre.

The arrival of Giroud does not appear to insinuate that current Gunners star Robin van Persie will be leaving the club this summer.

With just a year remaining on his contract with the club, the Premier League's Golden Boot winner has yet to reveal his future plans. Many of Europe's big guns, including Juventus, Barcelona and Manchester City are all said to be monitoring the situation, but Wenger has said that he is confident that the Dutchman will stay.

I am certain that Robin will remain with us, he said defiantly to Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport.

If you want to know why I am so certain is that Robin will remain with us is because there is no reason in this world why a great player like Van Persie should go and play for you, in Italy and in your competition.

Your football [Serie A] is at an inferior level to the Premier League.

The true test, though, will perhaps come if Barcelona makes a serious push to sign the 28-year-old. Certainly Arsenal fans are unlikely to rest easy until their talisman has put pen to paper on a new deal.

According to the Mirror, Arsenal could also have to fight off Barcelona's interest in Thomas Vermaelen this summer. The report claims that the Catalan giants will turn to one of Premier League trio Vermaelen, Vincent Kompany or David Luiz if they fail to land their first-choice defensive target Javi Martinez.

With no suggestion that Vermaelen would seek a move and the player not currently being a priority signing for Barcelona, Arsenal fans can be confident of their influential center-back turning out at the Emirates next season.