Yann M'Vila reveals interest in Arsenal switch

Yann M'Vila has admitted he would love to join Arsenal.

The Rennes midfielder has long been linked with the Gunners, who reportedly watched him during last night's Ligue 1 draw with Lyon.

The 21-year-old, who Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is said to have been close to signing last summer, also declared he would happily join Inter Milan or Real Madrid.

But the £22million-rated France star suggested a team managed by one of his compatriots would have an advantage.

He told Canal+: "Inter, Arsenal, Real... I will take the fun everywhere!

"These are great clubs. If the coach calls you and tells you he wants you to make you play, especially a French coach, it changes everything.

"The important thing for me is getting playing time for the France team."

M'Vila has three years remaining on his Rennes contract but manager Frederic Antonetti has already admitted the player was likely to leave this summer.

"Yann M'Vila won't be a Rennes player next season," he told Radio Monte Carlo last month.

M'Vila could join Lukas Podolski at Arsenal, with the striker understood to have agreed the formalities of an £11million move from Cologne.

Former Gunner and ex-Germany team-mate Jens Lehmann warned Podolski the pace of the Barclays Premier League would be a culture shock.

Lehmann told Bild: "He is quick, dangerous in front of the goal, and has a good pass. I'm happy for him if he soon joins Arsenal.

"It won't be easy, though. He will have to get used to the pace, and he will have to realise that participating is not enough.

"You must win. Expectations are very high."

PA